myxobacteria

9.9

Bacteria that make slimy groups and live in wet soil or rotting plants

noun
/mɪksoʊˈbæktəriə/

Specialized

: mixobacterias

Scientists study myxobacteria for their ability to produce unique antibiotics.

Examples

Myxobacteria thrive in soils rich with decaying plant matter.
Some myxobacteria can move collectively through a process called swarming motility.
The myxobacteria thrive in moist environments.
Many myxobacteria can produce antibiotics.
Myxobacteria form slime-covered colonies that help them survive in moist soils.
Researchers discovered that myxobacteria can decompose organic matter in forest ecosystems.
In laboratory environments, myxobacteria are used to explore new antibiotic production.

Synonyms

slime bacteria

vsmyxobacteria

Specialized

7.9

Tiny living things that form slimy colonies in damp soil or rotting plants

describes the same colony group but stresses that slime is self produced

gliding bacteria

vsmyxobacteria

Specialized

7.1

Tiny living cells that move smoothly over wet surfaces using slime, often in soil or decaying plants

focuses on colony formation in self produced slime rather than movement

Compounds

order Myxobacteria

Specialized

9.9

A group of bacteria that move together and form fruiting bodies

Surface Forms

myxobacteria singular

myxobacteria plural

Morphology

myxobacteria = bacteria (opaque) = myxo + bacteria

The prefix 'myxo-' is not a standalone English word and refers to slime or mucus, making the connection to 'bacteria' opaque for learners.

Etymology

Myxobacteria comes from the Greek part myxo- meaning 'slime' and the familiar word bacteria for tiny living cells. So, it literally means 'slime bacteria', which explains why these bacteria make and live in slime in wet soil.