myxobacterium

Thân thiện

A scientist observes a myxobacterium colony under a microscope.

Definition

Noun 1. A type of bacteria: A rod-shaped bacterium of the order Myxococcales, characterized by its ability to move by gliding and to form complex, multicellular fruiting bodies when nutrients are scarce. These bacteria are typically found in soil, decaying plant matter, or dung.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The myxobacterium exhibited fascinating social behavior by aggregating into a fruiting structure.
  • Scientists study the myxobacterium Myxococcus xanthus to understand bacterial development and cooperation.
  • A sample of the forest soil revealed the presence of several species of myxobacterium.

Advanced Usage

• Plural form: The standard plural is myxobacteria. This form is used when referring to multiple types or instances of these bacteria.
  • The diverse behaviors of soil-dwelling myxobacteria are a subject of intense research.

Variants and Related Words

• Myxobacterial (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of myxobacteria.
  • The myxobacterial life cycle involves both solitary and social phases.
• Myxobacteria (plural noun): The group or multiple organisms of this type.
• Slime bacteria (noun, informal): A descriptive, non-scientific synonym referencing the slime trails these bacteria produce.

Synonyms

• Slime bacterium: A descriptive synonym highlighting the production of extracellular slime.
• Gliding bacterium: A descriptive synonym referring to their unique mode of locomotion.

Học thuật

Noun

1. bacteria that form colonies in self-produced slime; inhabit moist soils or decaying plant matter or animal waste

Từ đồng nghĩa

• myxobacteria
• myxobacter
• gliding bacteria
• slime bacteria