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Glite Dictionary
Thiobacillus

Thiobacillus

1 9.9
A rod-shaped bacterium that gets energy from sulfur, often found in soil and sewage
  • noun
  • /ˌθaɪoʊbəˈsɪləs/
  • Specialized
: Thiobacillus
  • Researchers discovered that Thiobacillus bacteria can thrive in extreme environments, such as sulfur-rich hot springs.

Examples

  • Sulfur bacteria range from complex filamentous Beggiatoa and Thiothrix species to the rod-shaped Thiobacillus species.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The genus Thiobacillus plays a crucial role in the sulfur cycle, helping to break down sulfur compounds in the soil.

  • In sewage treatment plants, Thiobacillus is utilized to effectively oxidize sulfur compounds and reduce pollution.

Synonyms

thiobacteria
vsThiobacillus
  • Specialized
9.9

Bacteria that get energy by turning sulfur into other chemicals

is identical in meaning but uses the standard scientific genus form

Surface Forms

Thiobacillus singular
Thiobacilli plural

Morphology

Thiobacillus = bacillus (semi-transparent) = thio + bacillus

The combining form 'thio-' means 'sulfur' in scientific names; the relation is clear in scientific contexts but not to average B1 learners.

Etymology

Thiobacillus comes from the parts Thio- meaning 'sulfur' and -bacillus meaning 'little rod' or 'stick', so the name describes a rod-shaped bacterium that gets its energy from sulfur.