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Micrograph of one kind of bacteria, Leptospira, which causes serious disease in livestock.

bacteria

(genetic biology)

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  • Grammar: plural noun
    singular:
    bacterium
  • Definition: microorganisms belonging to the Eubacteria Domain of living things. Bacteria have no defined nucleus or membrane-bound structures (i.e. they are prokaryotic).
  • Example:
    1. Collectins are defensive proteins that bind onto and facilitate the destruction of bacteria.

    2. Some bacterial DNA is packaged into smaller, circular DNA molecules referred to as plasmids.
  • Related Word: bacterial (adjective)
  • Usage Note: Bacteria is usually used in the plural form.


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