Microbiology Glossary
Browse our comprehensive collection of 777 microbiology terms and definitions.
G
Globulins
Globulins are a diverse group of globular proteins found in blood plasma, comprising the alpha, beta and gamma fractions. They perform transport, immune and...
Gram Negative
Gram-negative bacteria are prokaryotes that do not retain the crystal violet–iodine complex during the Gram staining procedure, appearing pink after...
Gram Positive
Gram-positive bacteria are prokaryotes that retain the crystal violet–iodine complex during the Gram staining procedure and appear purple under the microscope....
Gram Stain
The Gram stain is a differential staining technique used in microbiology to classify bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative groups based on their cell...
Growth Curve
A growth curve depicts the change in the number of organisms in a population over time under defined conditions. In microbiology, a typical bacterial growth...
Growth Factor
A growth factor is an essential organic molecule, such as a vitamin, amino acid or peptide, that an organism cannot synthesize and must obtain from its...
Growth Medium
A growth medium is a preparation of nutrients and other components formulated to support the cultivation of microorganisms or cells. Explanation In...
Guanarito Virus
Guanarito virus is a New World arenavirus that causes Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever. It has a bisegmented negative‑sense RNA genome and is maintained in...
H
Halophiles
Microorganisms that require or tolerate high concentrations of salt, often thriving in environments such as salt lakes, saline soils and salted foods....
Hantaan Virus
Hantaan virus is a member of the genus Orthohantavirus family Hantaviridae and is the prototypical agent of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome HFRS,...
Helicobacter pylori
A helical, Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the human stomach and duodenum, causing chronic gastritis and playing a causal role in peptic ulcer disease...
Helminth
Parasitic worms belonging to groups such as flatworms, roundworms and thorny‑headed worms that live in or on hosts and may cause chronic infections in humans...
Hemolysis
The rupture of red blood cells and release of hemoglobin into the surrounding fluid, observable in vitro on blood agar and occurring in various physiological...
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)
Hepatitis A virus HAV is a non‑enveloped, single‑stranded RNA virus in the family Picornaviridae that causes acute viral hepatitis in humans. It spreads...
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Hepatitis C virus HCV is a small enveloped, positive‑sense, single‑stranded RNA virus of the Hepacivirus genus Flaviviridae family that causes hepatitis C, a...
Hepatitis D Virus (HDV)
Hepatitis D virus HDV is a satellite virus that requires the hepatitis B surface antigen HBsAg from Hepatitis B virus HBV to assemble infectious particles. It...
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1)
Herpes simplex virus 1 HSV-1 is a member of the human alphaherpesviruses and a major cause of oral herpes. It contains a large double-stranded DNA genome...
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1)
Herpes simplex virus 1 HSV‑1 is an enveloped double‑stranded DNA virus of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily that primarily causes oral herpes and establishes...
Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV‑2)
Herpes Simplex Virus 2 HSV‑2 is an enveloped double‑stranded DNA virus in the genus Simplexvirus of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily. It primarily causes...
Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV‑2)
Herpes simplex virus 2 is an enveloped, double‑stranded DNA virus in the Herpesviridae family. Its genome is enclosed within an icosahedral capsid surrounded...
Heterotrophs
Organisms that derive their energy and carbon by consuming organic compounds synthesized by other organisms rather than producing their own organic matter from...
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
A retrovirus that targets CD4+ T lymphocytes and other immune cells, progressively impairing the immune system and leading to acquired immunodeficiency...
Horizontal Gene Transfer (umbrella term)
Horizontal gene transfer refers to the movement of genetic material between organisms by mechanisms other than parent‑to‑offspring inheritance. It allows genes...
Host
An organism that supports the survival, growth or reproduction of another organism during part or all of its life cycle. Explanation In microbiology, the term...