Microbiology Glossary

noun a painful cluster of boils typically caused by bacterial infection, usually on the neck or back

• The doctor diagnosed the patient with a carbuncle, a cluster of boils on the skin.
• I heard that John had to go to the hospital because of a nasty carbuncle on his back.
• That carbuncle on his neck looks really gross.
• The corruption scandal was like a carbuncle on the reputation of the company.

adjective relating to or occurring in the intestines

• The enteric nervous system is responsible for regulating the function of the gastrointestinal tract.
• I learned in biology class that the enteric system controls digestion.
• My gut feeling told me to trust the enteric system.
• The enteric system acts like a second brain in our bodies, influencing our gut instincts.

verb to consume food or nutrients

preposition to rely on something for sustenance or nourishment

• Carnivorous animals feed on other animals for sustenance.
• My cat loves to feed on tuna fish.
• I could really go for some pizza to feed on right now.
• Negative thoughts can feed on your insecurities if you let them.

noun a substance that is flocculent

adjective having a fluffy or woolly appearance

• The flocculent sediment in the water was caused by the chemical reaction.
• I can't swim in that lake, the water looks all flocculent and gross.
• Ew, that soup looks so flocculent, I'm not eating that.
• Her thoughts were like a flocculent cloud, scattered and hard to grasp.

noun a disease caused by the entrance into the body of bacteria or viruses

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• The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection.
• I heard she got an infection from that dirty cut.
• I don't want to get an infection, so I'm going to clean this wound properly.
• Negativity can spread like an infection if not addressed.

adjective causing or capable of causing disease

• The pathogenic bacteria were identified as the cause of the outbreak.
• Those germs are pathogenic and can make you sick.
• Watch out for those nasty bugs, they're pathogenic!
• His toxic behavior was like a pathogenic virus spreading negativity everywhere.

noun a thin skin or film on the surface of certain plant tissues

• The pellicle formed on the surface of the liquid as it cooled.
• I noticed a weird pellicle on top of the soup.
• Ew, there's a gross pellicle floating in my drink.
• The pellicle of lies that covered his true intentions was finally revealed.

adjective consisting of, containing, or discharging pus

• The wound was filled with purulent discharge, indicating an infection.
• Eww, that cut looks all purulent and gross.
• I can't believe how purulent that zit is, it's disgusting.
• The corruption in the government was like a purulent sore that needed to be drained.

noun a tiny spot or mark

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• The scientist examined the speck of dust under the microscope.
• I can't believe you found a speck of dirt on my shirt already!
• I told you to clean up every speck in this room before mom gets home.
• In the vast universe, our planet is just a tiny speck of dust.

noun a close and often long-term interaction between two different biological species

• The relationship between the bees and the flowers is a perfect example of symbiosis in nature.
• The way the clownfish and the sea anemone help each other out is like a cool partnership.
• Those two are like peas in a pod, always working together in perfect symbiosis.
• Their friendship was so strong, it was like a symbiosis of their souls.

noun a substance that kills bacteria

• The bactericide was effective in killing off harmful bacteria in the laboratory setting.
• I always make sure to use a strong bactericide when cleaning my kitchen.
• This bactericide is like a ninja for germs, it wipes them out in seconds!
• His words acted as a bactericide, wiping out any doubts or concerns in the room.

adjective describing or relating to plankton, which are small organisms that drift in the water

• Planktonic organisms play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem.
• Did you know that planktonic creatures are the base of the ocean food chain?
• Those tiny planktonic guys are like the party animals of the sea.
• Her thoughts drifted like planktonic particles in the vast ocean of her mind.

adjective relating to or characteristic of prokaryotes, which are single-celled organisms that do not have a membrane-bound nucleus

• Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
• Prokaryotic cells are the simple ones without a nucleus.
• Prokaryotic cells are like the basic building blocks of life.
• In the world of cells, prokaryotic organisms are the pioneers, keeping it simple yet efficient.

noun a temporary protrusion of the surface of an amoeboid cell for movement and feeding

• The amoeba extends its pseudopodium to capture food particles.
• The amoeba uses its pseudopodium to grab onto things.
• Check out how the amoeba sticks out its pseudopodium to catch its prey.
• She extended her pseudopodium, reaching out to help those in need.

noun a substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms

adjective describing a substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms

• The hospital uses antimicrobial coatings on all surfaces to prevent the spread of infections.
• I always make sure to use antimicrobial hand sanitizer before eating.
• Dude, you gotta get some of that antimicrobial spray for your gym bag.
• Her words had an antimicrobial effect on the toxic atmosphere in the room.

noun UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection, which is an infection in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra.

• The patient was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and prescribed antibiotics.
• I heard that Sarah had a UTI and had to go to the doctor for treatment.
• My friend told me she got a UTI from holding her pee for too long.
• Dealing with that difficult client was like trying to fight off a UTI - uncomfortable and never-ending.

noun a swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus

• Abscesses are localized collections of pus caused by infection.
• I had to go to the doctor to get my abscesses drained.
• Man, those abscesses are really gross.
• The corruption in the government is like a festering abscess that needs to be dealt with.

adjective describing something that does not contain cells

• Acellular organisms do not contain cells and are typically considered non-living.
• These acellular organisms are so tiny, you can't even see them under a microscope.
• I heard that acellular stuff is like, totally weird and mysterious.
• The acellular nature of their relationship made it difficult to define.

adverb in a manner that is densely packed or closely clustered

• The books were acervately stacked in the library, organized by category and author.
• She acervately piled all her clothes on the chair before deciding what to wear.
• I acervately threw all my stuff in my backpack before heading out the door.
• His thoughts were acervately clustered in his mind, making it hard to focus on one thing at a time.

verb to convert into vinegar by fermentation

• It is important to understand the process of acetify when studying chemistry.
• If you leave fruit juice out too long, it will start to acetify and taste sour.
• I accidentally acetified my homemade salad dressing by leaving it out on the counter.
• The relationship between the two countries began to acetify after the trade deal fell through.

noun a person who is unable to see colors

adjective relating to or characterized by the inability to see colors

• The scientist studied the achromatophil cells under the microscope.
• I heard that achromatophil cells have a unique appearance.
• Those achromatophil cells look pretty cool, don't they?
• Her personality was like an achromatophil canvas, devoid of any vibrant emotions.

noun a substance or agent that makes something easier or facilitates a process

verb to make something easier or less difficult

adjective characterized by ease or quickness

• The new software program was designed to aciliate the process of data analysis.
• Let me aciliate things by explaining it in simpler terms.
• I'll aciliate the situation by talking to him directly.
• Music has the power to aciliate the soul and bring peace to the mind.

noun a type of marine invertebrate that belongs to the class Actinobranchia

• The actinobranch is a type of marine invertebrate known for its branching arms.
• I saw a cool actinobranch while snorkeling yesterday.
• Check out that funky actinobranch over there!
• Her ideas spread out like the arms of an actinobranch, reaching into every corner of the discussion.

noun a type of radiating structure found in certain organisms, such as radiolaria and actinomycetes

• The actinomere is a specialized structure found in certain bacteria.
• I read about actinomeres in my biology textbook.
• Have you seen the actinomeres under the microscope? They look so cool!
• The actinomere of teamwork is the collaboration and coordination among team members.

noun a specialized part of a cell, especially a protozoan, that is responsible for feeding and ingestion

• The actinosome is a specialized structure found in certain marine organisms.
• I learned in biology class that the actinosome helps certain sea creatures catch their prey.
• Check out the cool actinosome on that jellyfish!
• His creativity was like an actinosome, reaching out in all directions to gather inspiration.

noun a cell that adheres or sticks to surfaces

adjective describing the type of cell that is adhesive

• The adhesive cell of the organism helps it to attach to surfaces and move efficiently.
• That sticky cell is what keeps the organism stuck in place.
• The critter's gluey cell is what makes it stick like crazy.
• Her friendship was like an adhesive cell, always keeping us connected no matter what.

verb to convert a substance into a fine spray or mist

• The machine aerosolizes the medication for easier inhalation.
• The spray can aerosolizes the paint for a smooth finish.
• I heard that guy aerosolizes his cologne before going out.
• His speech aerosolizes his ideas, spreading them throughout the audience.