actinomycete
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌæktɪˈnoʊmaɪsiːt/
- Specialized
- The actinomycete is known to be a major contributor to soil health by breaking down organic material.
- actinomycetes and bacteria
- actinomycetes and fungi
Examples
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Researchers are exploring various actinomycetes for their ability to produce antibiotics effective against resistant bacteria.
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In patients with weakened immune systems, certain species of actinomycetes may lead to serious infections.
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A. fumigates, and several of the thermophilic actinomycetes are secondary pathogens of concern to worker health.
Academic text (1996) -
Species such as Enterobacteria, Serratia, Nitrobacter, Pseudomonads, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and various Actinomycetes are all present.
Academic text (1996) -
Into this crisis comes D.J. Mitchell, Professor of Soilborne Pathogens at the University of Florida, with a proposal to use chitin and actinomycetes to achieve broad-spectrum control.
Academic text (1998) -
One type of mycetoma is caused by actinomycetes (actinomycetomas), and another by true fungi (sinonasal masses).
Academic text (2008)
Surface Forms
Morphology
actinomycete = actinomyces (opaque) = actino + mycete
The immediate base is a scientific genus name rather than a familiar English word, so the structure is not helpful to average learners.
Etymology
Actinomycete comes from Greek parts actino- meaning 'ray' and -mycete meaning 'fungus', because these bacteria grow in long, ray-like threads that look a bit like tiny fungi. So an actinomycete is a kind of bacterium that forms branching, thread-like growths, often in soil.