Microbiology Glossary
Browse our comprehensive collection of 777 microbiology terms and definitions.
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Influenza D Virus
Influenza D virus is a recently identified member of the Orthomyxoviridae family. It has a segmented, negative‑sense RNA genome and primarily infects cattle...
Influenza virus
Any member of the Orthomyxoviridae family with a segmented negative‑sense RNA genome that causes influenza, a contagious respiratory disease in humans and...
Influenza virus
Influenza virus is an enveloped, single‑stranded RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae that causes influenza “flu” in humans and many animals. Explanation...
Inhibition
Inhibition refers to the suppression or reduction of the activity or growth of microorganisms or biochemical reactions due to environmental conditions or...
Inoculate
Inoculate means to introduce microorganisms, cells or biological material into a nutrient medium or host to initiate growth, culture or an immune response....
Inoculating Loop
An inoculating loop is a simple laboratory tool consisting of a thin metal or plastic handle terminating in a small loop used to transfer a small amount of...
Inoculum
Inoculum refers to the material—such as cells, spores or viral particles—introduced into a culture medium or host to initiate growth or infection. Explanation...
Interferon
Small secreted proteins produced by host cells in response to pathogens, particularly viruses, that modulate immune responses and confer resistance to...
Invasive
Invasive describes a microorganism, infection or disease process that penetrates host tissues and spreads beyond superficial or mucosal surfaces, often leading...
J
Jacobs Syndrome (example)
Jacobs syndrome, also known as 47,XYY syndrome, is a chromosomal condition in which a male has an extra Y chromosome. In most cells, males have one X and one Y...
Japanese Encephalitis Virus
Japanese encephalitis virus JEV is an enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Flavivirus. It is transmitted primarily by...
JC Polyomavirus (JCPyV)
JC polyomavirus is a ubiquitous human virus that establishes persistent infection in renal and lymphoid tissues and, in the setting of severe...
Junin Virus
Junin virus is a New World arenavirus that causes Argentine hemorrhagic fever. This enveloped virus has a bi-segmented, single-stranded RNA genome and is...
Junk DNA
Junk DNA is a colloquial term for noncoding regions of the genome that do not encode proteins and were once thought to lack function. When the human genome was...
K
KI Polyomavirus (KIPyV)
KI Polyomavirus KIPyV is a small non‑enveloped DNA virus in the family Polyomaviridae. It was discovered in 2007 in stored human respiratory samples at the...
Kirby–Bauer Test
A disk diffusion method used to assess bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics Explanation The Kirby–Bauer test, also known as the disk diffusion assay, is a...
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative, encapsulated, facultatively anaerobic rod-shaped bacterium and an opportunistic human pathogen. This species belongs...
Koch’s Postulates
A set of criteria proposed by Robert Koch to link a specific microbe to a disease Explanation In the late nineteenth century, German physician Robert Koch...
Kuru
Kuru is a human prion disease that was endemic among the Fore and related peoples of Papua New Guinea in the mid‑twentieth century. It is caused by ingestion...
Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus
Kyasanur Forest disease virus KFDV is a tick-borne flavivirus responsible for Kyasanur Forest disease, a severe febrile and haemorrhagic illness first...
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La Crosse Virus
La Crosse virus LACV is an arbovirus of the California serogroup, genus Orthobunyavirus, with a tripartite negative‑sense RNA genome. It is primarily...
LAB
Lactic acid bacteria LAB are a group of Gram positive bacteria that produce lactic acid as the main end product of carbohydrate metabolism. These non sporing...
Lagos Bat Lyssavirus
Lagos bat lyssavirus LBV is a negative‑sense single‑stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Lyssavirus. It was first isolated from a fruit bat in Lagos,...
Laminar Air Flow Cabinet (Hood)
A laminar air flow cabinet, or laminar flow hood, is an enclosed bench that creates a sterile work area by directing filtered air in a uniform laminar stream...