neutrophilic
- adjective
- /ˌnjuːtrəˈfɪlɪk/
- Specialized
- Certain bacteria are neutrophilic and will only grow in soils with a pH close to seven.
Examples
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The laboratory identified the microorganism as neutrophilic because it thrived in neutral conditions.
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Unlike acid-loving species, neutrophilic microbes cannot survive in highly acidic or alkaline environments.
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The neutrophilic bacteria thrive in neutral environments.
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In laboratory settings, neutrophilic species are often studied.
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Certain bacteria are neutrophilic and will only grow in soils with a pH close to seven.
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The laboratory identified the microorganism as neutrophilic because it thrived in neutral conditions.
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Unlike acid-loving species, neutrophilic microbes cannot survive in highly acidic or alkaline environments.
How Acid-Loving
Surface Forms
Morphology
neutrophilic = neutrophile (semi-transparent) = neutro + phil + ic
The base word 'neutrophile' is clear, but the specific scientific context may not be obvious to all learners.
Etymology
Neutrophilic comes from neutro- 'neutral' and -philic 'loving', the same -philic you see in hydrophilic ('water-loving'). So a neutrophilic organism 'loves' neutral conditions and grows best around pH 7.