Definition

Noun: - A taxonomic category in biology: "Genus Lactobacillus" is the type genus of the family Lactobacillaceae. It refers to a group of closely related bacterial species characterized as Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, and often involved in fermenting sugars into lactic acid.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The scientist studied the evolutionary history of the genus Lactobacillus.
  • Yogurt production relies on bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific classification: The term is used in the binomial nomenclature system, where is the genus name, and a specific epithet follows to name a species (e.g., ).
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a well-known species within the genus Lactobacillus.

Variants and Related Words

• Lactobacillaceae (n): The family to which this genus belongs.
• Lactobacillus (n): When used without "genus," it can refer informally to any bacterium within this genus or to the group as a whole.
  • This probiotic contains several strains of Lactobacillus.

Synonyms

• Lactic acid bacteria (general group): This is a broader, functional grouping that includes and other genera that produce lactic acid.

Notes on Meaning

• This term is highly specific to scientific, particularly microbiological and taxonomic, contexts. In everyday language, people are more likely to refer to "lactobacilli" or "probiotics" rather than the formal taxonomic name "genus ."

Noun

1. type genus of the family Lactobacillaceae