Microbiology Glossary
Browse our comprehensive collection of 777 microbiology terms and definitions.
M
Microtiter Plate
A microtiter plate, also called a microplate or microwell plate, is a flat plastic plate containing an array of small wells that function as miniature test...
Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (concept)
The minimum inhibitory concentration MIC is the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent required to prevent visible growth of a microorganism after a...
Mixed Culture
A mixed culture is a microbial population containing more than one species or strain of organisms grown together in the same environment or medium....
Mokola Lyssavirus
Mokola lyssavirus MOKV is a negative‑sense RNA virus in the genus Lyssavirus. It was first isolated from a shrew in Nigeria in 1968 and is one of the few...
Monoclonal (cells)
Monoclonal cells are a group of cells derived from a single progenitor cell, producing a genetically uniform population. Explanation A monoclonal population...
Monoclonal Antibody
A monoclonal antibody is an immunoglobulin produced by a single clone of plasma cells and therefore identical in sequence and antigen specificity. These...
Monoclonal Antibody
A monoclonal antibody mAb is an immunoglobulin produced by a single clone of plasma cells that recognizes one specific epitope. Unlike polyclonal antibodies...
Monoclonal Antibody
A monoclonal antibody is an antibody derived from a single clone of B cells that recognizes one specific epitope on an antigen. Unlike polyclonal antibodies,...
MPN
The most probable number MPN is a statistical estimation method used to determine the concentration of viable microorganisms in a sample by observing growth...
MRSA
Methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA is a strain of S. aureus that resists β‑lactam antibiotics, defined by an oxacillin minimum inhibitory...
Mumps Virus
The mumps virus is an enveloped, single‑stranded, negative‑sense RNA virus in the genus Rubulavirus of the family Paramyxoviridae. It primarily infects humans...
Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus
Murray Valley encephalitis virus MVEV is an enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus. It is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes...
Mutant
A mutant is an organism, cell or gene that carries a mutation resulting in a DNA sequence different from the standard or wild‑type. Explanation When the...
Mutation
A mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism’s genome that can occur spontaneously or be induced by environmental factors. Explanation...
Mycelium
The network of thread-like hyphae that forms the vegetative body of a fungus and absorbs nutrients from its substrate. Structure and growth A mycelium...
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a slow-growing, rod-shaped, acid-fast bacterium that causes tuberculosis in humans. Characteristics and pathogenesis...
Mycology
Mycology is the branch of biology that deals with the study of fungi, including their taxonomy, physiology, ecology and applications. Scope and history...
N
Negative Stain
Negative stain is a microscopy technique where an acidic dye provides contrast by staining the background instead of the cells, leaving microorganisms clear...
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a Gram-negative, kidney bean-shaped diplococcus that causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea in humans. Microbiology and...
Neisseria meningitidis
Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative encapsulated diplococcus that colonises the human nasopharynx and can cause invasive meningococcal disease, including...
Nematode
Nematodes are unsegmented cylindrical worms belonging to the phylum Nematoda, found in nearly every habitat and many are important parasites of plants and...
New Jersey polyomavirus (NJPyV)
New Jersey polyomavirus NJPyV, also known as human polyomavirus 13, is a circular double‑stranded DNA virus discovered in 2014 from the vascular endothelial...
Nitrogen Fixation
Nitrogen fixation is the biochemical process that converts atmospheric nitrogen gas into biologically usable forms such as ammonia or nitrate. Biochemical...
Nonsense Mutation
Nonsense mutation occurs when a single nucleotide substitution converts a codon that normally specifies an amino acid into a termination codon UAA, UAG, or...