actinomycete
Noun A type of bacteria belonging to the order Actinomycetales. Many are soil-dwelling organisms important for decomposing organic matter. Some species can cause disease in humans and animals, while others are a primary source for many antibiotics.
Actinomycetes are typically discussed in scientific contexts like microbiology, medicine, and agriculture. * The soil's rich, earthy smell is partly due to the presence of actinomycetes. * Streptomyces, a genus of actinomycete, produces the antibiotic streptomycin. * Laboratory culture confirmed the infection was caused by an actinomycete.
- Actinomycete is often used attributively as a noun modifier.
- Actinomycete morphology differs from that of typical bacteria.
- The researcher studied actinomycete diversity in marine sediments.
- Actinomycetales (noun): The biological order to which actinomycetes belong.
- Actinomycetous (adjective): Of or relating to actinomycetes.
- Actinomycetous bacteria form branching filaments.
This word has a single, specific scientific meaning as defined above. It does not have common alternative definitions.
- Filamentous bacteria (descriptive, not a taxonomic synonym)
- Ray fungus (an older, less precise term based on their fungal-like appearance)
There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with this specialized scientific term.
- any bacteria (some of which are pathogenic for humans and animals) belonging to the order Actinomycetales