Microbiology Glossary
Browse our comprehensive collection of 777 microbiology terms and definitions.
T
TEM
TEM stands for transmission electron microscopy, a technique in which a beam of accelerated electrons is transmitted through an ultrathin specimen to form an...
Thermophiles
Thermophiles are microorganisms that grow optimally at temperatures above about 45 °C, often inhabiting hot springs, compost heaps, geothermal soils and...
Thermotolerant
Thermotolerant organisms are those capable of surviving and growing at elevated temperatures—often up to 50 °C or slightly higher—without requiring such heat...
Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus
Tick-borne encephalitis virus TBEV is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA flavivirus that causes tick-borne encephalitis in humans. Its genome is...
Titer
Titer or titre is a quantitative measure of the concentration of a substance, typically defined as the highest dilution of a sample that still produces a...
To be deleted Coxsackievirus B4
Coxsackievirus B4 is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus and one of the six serotypes that comprise the group B coxsackieviruses. Like other...
Torque Teno Midi Virus (TTMDV)
Torque teno midi virus TTMDV is a circular single‑stranded DNA virus in the family Anelloviridae and represents an intermediate‑sized member of the torque teno...
Torque Teno Mini Virus (TTMV)
Torque teno mini virus TTMV is a small circular single‑stranded DNA virus belonging to the family Anelloviridae. It was first identified in human plasma in...
Torque Teno Virus (TTV)
Torque teno virus TTV is a small non‑enveloped anellovirus with a circular single‑stranded DNA genome, widely found in human blood and tissues. Most people...
Toscana Virus
Toscana virus TOSV is a sand fly-borne phlebovirus in the family Phenuiviridae that causes febrile illness and sometimes neuroinvasive disease in humans....
Toxigenicity
Toxigenicity is the ability of a microorganism to produce toxins that damage host tissues or interfere with physiological processes. Explanation Bacterial and...
Transcription
Transcription is the cellular process in which RNA polymerase reads a DNA template and produces a complementary RNA strand, synthesizing the first step in gene...
Transduction
Transduction is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria in which a bacteriophage packages host DNA and delivers it to another cell, thereby moving...
Transduction
Transduction is the transfer of genetic material from one bacterium to another via a bacteriophage, a virus that infects bacteria. This process allows DNA to...
Transformation
Transformation is a process in which a cell takes up free DNA from its environment and incorporates it into its genome or maintains it as an extrachromosomal...
Transformation
Transformation is the genetic alteration of a cell resulting from the direct uptake and incorporation of extracellular DNA from its surroundings. This process...
Transgenic
A transgenic organism contains genetic material that has been deliberately introduced from a different species, conferring a new trait that is not normally...
Translation
Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize a polypeptide from a messenger RNA template, using transfer RNAs to deliver amino acids in the order...
Transmission
Transmission is the process by which an infectious agent spreads from an infected host or reservoir to a new susceptible host. Modes and Significance...
Transposon
A transposon is a mobile genetic element that can move from one position in a genome to another, altering the genomic landscape. Mechanisms and Importance...
Treponema pallidum
Treponema pallidum is a slender, helically coiled spirochete bacterium that causes syphilis. This microaerophilic organism has an outer membrane lacking...
Trichodysplasia Spinulosa Polyomavirus (TSPyV)
Trichodysplasia Spinulosa Polyomavirus TSPyV is a non‑enveloped DNA virus in the family Polyomaviridae. First identified in 2010, it infects humans and is...
tRNA
Transfer RNA tRNA is a class of small, non‑coding RNA molecules that deliver specific amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis by matching their...
trp Operon
The trp operon is a group of genes in bacteria encoding enzymes for tryptophan biosynthesis that is coordinately regulated by intracellular tryptophan levels....