Definition

1. Noun:
   • A species of bacteria: Agrobacterium tumefaciens is the scientific name for a specific, soil-dwelling bacterium.
   • The causative agent of crown gall disease: This bacterium is known for its ability to infect plants and cause crown gall, a tumor-like growth.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The study focused on the genetic mechanisms of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
  • Crown gall in roses is often caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Advanced Usage

• In genetic engineering: Due to its natural ability to transfer DNA into plant cells, is frequently used as a tool in biotechnology.
  • Scientists use a modified strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to insert new genes into crop plants.

Variants and Related Words

• Agrobacterium (n): The genus name. is one species within this genus.
• Rhizobiaceae (n): The family of bacteria to which this species belongs.
• Crown gall (n): The plant disease caused by this bacterium.

Synonyms

• Tumor-inducing bacterium: A descriptive synonym referencing its disease-causing effect.
• Plant pathogen: A general term for any disease-causing agent in plants, which includes this bacterium.

Related Phrases

• Ti-plasmid (Tumor-inducing plasmid): The specific circular DNA molecule in responsible for its disease-causing and gene-transfer properties.
  • The Ti-plasmid is the key to the bacterium's ability to cause crown gall.

Notes on Form

• The name is always written in italics in scientific texts, as it is a Latin binomial (genus and species) name. The genus name is capitalized, while the species name is not.

Noun

1. the bacteria that produce crown gall disease in plants