Actinomyces
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌæktɪˈnoʊmaɪsiːz/
- Specialized
- Some species of Actinomyces are responsible for infections in humans known as actinomycosis.
Examples
-
The laboratory identified the bacteria as Actinomyces based on their filamentous structure.
-
Veterinarians are familiar with Actinomyces because it can cause disease in livestock.
-
The Actinomyces genus includes several pathogenic species.
-
Some Actinomyces species can lead to serious infections.
-
Some species of Actinomyces are responsible for infections in humans known as actinomycosis.
-
Veterinarians are familiar with Actinomyces because it can cause disease in livestock.
-
The laboratory identified the bacteria as Actinomyces based on their filamentous structure.
Surface Forms
Morphology
Actinomyces = actin + myces
A specialized taxonomic name built from Greek combining forms ('actin-' + 'myces') that are not productive or meaningful to an average B1 learner, so the meaning cannot be derived from the parts.
Etymology
The word Actinomyces comes from Greek parts actino- meaning 'ray' and -myces meaning 'fungus'. It was named because these bacteria grow in long, ray-like threads that look a little like a mushroom, so the name helps you remember they are thread-growing, fungus-like bacteria that can cause infections.