blastomycete

9.9

A yeast-like fungus that makes new cells by budding and can cause disease in people and animals

noun
/ˌblæstəˈmaɪsiːt/

Specialized

: blastomiceto

A blastomycete infection can lead to severe pulmonary disease if left untreated.

Examples

Researchers identified the presence of blastomycete in several tissue samples from infected patients.
Veterinarians are studying how blastomycete affects different animal species.
The blastomycete was identified in the patient's lab results.
Many blastomycetes are found in soil and decaying organic matter.
A blastomycete infection can lead to severe pulmonary disease if left untreated.
Researchers identified the presence of blastomycete in several tissue samples from infected patients.
Veterinarians are studying how blastomycete affects different animal species.

Synonyms

Blastomyces

vsblastomycete

Specialized

1 9.9

A type of fungus that can cause serious infections in people and animals

refers to individual yeastlike organisms within the genus rather than the whole genus

Surface Forms

blastomycete singular

blastomycetes plural

Morphology

blastomycete = mycete (semi-transparent) = blasto + mycete

The meaning is largely compositional as 'a budding fungus', but the classical scientific elements are specialized and not readily interpretable for ordinary learners.

Etymology

Blastomycete comes from blasto- meaning 'bud' and -mycete meaning 'fungus', so you can think of it as a 'budding fungus'. This helps explain the modern meaning: blastomycetes are yeastlike fungi that reproduce by making buds and can cause disease.