axenic
- adjective
- /ˈeɪzɛnɪk/
- Specialized
:
axénico
- Axenic cultures, although not essential for successful growth and observations, allow experimentation without the uncontrolled effects on growth and differentiation that may be associated with fungal or bacterial contaminants.
Examples
-
Because the cultures were axenic, the signal was most likely coming from the gametophytes themselves.
Academic text (1998) -
Cultures remained axenic throughout experiments.
Blog text (18) -
The lab maintained axenic conditions to ensure accurate results in their microbial experiments.
-
Researchers often use axenic cultures to study the behavior of specific microorganisms without outside interference.
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For the experiment to be valid, it was crucial that the environment remained axenic throughout the testing period.
Antonyms
How Pure
- Specialized
37
4.4
- Specialized
- Specialized
1
6.7
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
axenic = xenic (opaque) = a + xenic
The prefix 'a-' indicates absence, but 'xenic' is not a standalone English word, making the overall meaning opaque.
Etymology
Axenic comes from the Greek parts a- meaning 'not' and xenos meaning 'foreign' or 'stranger'. So, axenic literally means 'no strangers', which helps you remember it describes a sample, culture, or environment that is free of other living things and has only one type of living thing.