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Glite Dictionary
Deinococcus radiodurans

Deinococcus radiodurans

1 9.9
A very tough bacterium that survives high radiation and helps clean radioactive or toxic waste
  • noun
  • /daɪˈnɒkəˌkəs reɪdiəˈdʊrənz/
  • Specialized
: Deinococcus radiodurans
  • Scientists study Deinococcus radiodurans to understand how cells repair DNA after exposure to high levels of radiation.

Examples

  • Deinococcus radiodurans can survive in environments that would be lethal to most other organisms.

  • The unique abilities of Deinococcus radiodurans make it valuable for research in biotechnology and astrobiology.

  • Researchers are studying Deinococcus radiodurans for its unique properties.

  • The bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans can survive extreme radiation.

  • Scientists study Deinococcus radiodurans to understand how cells repair DNA after exposure to high levels of radiation.

  • Deinococcus radiodurans can survive in environments that would be lethal to most other organisms.

  • The unique abilities of Deinococcus radiodurans make it valuable for research in biotechnology.

Surface Forms

Deinococcus radiodurans singular
Deinococcus radioduranses plural

Morphology

Deinococcus + radiodurans

This is a Latinized scientific binomial composed of non-lexicalized roots rather than ordinary English words; the items given are not dictionary words and the name follows taxonomic naming conventions. The specific meaning 'radiation‑resistant bacterium' is technical and depends on knowledge of scientific morphology and naming, so a B1 learner who only knows the surface constituents would not reliably derive the meaning.

Etymology

Deinococcus radiodurans takes its name from the parts Deinococcus and radiodurans, which can be read as 'strange round' and 'lasting against radiation'. The name paints a picture of a tiny round organism that keeps living even after heavy radiation, so it reminds us that the bacterium is 'extremely resistant to radiation'.