Microbiology Glossary
Browse our comprehensive collection of 777 microbiology terms and definitions.
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Capsule
A capsule is a large, well‑organised layer that surrounds the cell envelope of many bacteria. It is usually made of polysaccharide although some species, such...
Carbon source
A carbon source is the compound from which an organism obtains carbon for synthesizing cellular components and deriving energy. It can be organic, such as...
Carrier State
A carrier state refers to the condition in which an individual harbors a pathogenic microorganism without showing overt signs of disease but is capable of...
Case Fatality Rate
The case fatality rate CFR is the proportion of diagnosed cases of a disease that result in death over a specified period. It provides a measure of disease...
Catalase Test
The catalase test is a simple biochemical assay used to determine whether a microorganism produces catalase, an enzyme that decomposes hydrogen peroxide into...
Cell Culture
Cell culture is the process of growing living cells under controlled laboratory conditions, typically outside their natural environment. The technique provides...
Central Dogma
The central dogma of molecular biology describes the directional flow of genetic information: DNA sequences are transcribed into RNA molecules, which are then...
CFU
A colony-forming unit CFU is a unit used in microbiology to estimate the number of viable microorganisms in a sample. It refers to a single cell or a cluster...
Chain
In microbiology, a chain refers to an arrangement of cells where daughter cells remain attached end‑to‑end after division, forming a linear filament. This...
Chapare Virus
Chapare virus is a New World arenavirus that causes Chapare hemorrhagic fever in Bolivia. The virus has an enveloped, bi‑segmented negative‑sense RNA genome...
Chemotroph
Chemotrophs are organisms that obtain energy through the oxidation of chemical compounds, using inorganic or organic substances rather than light as their...
Chikungunya Virus
Chikungunya virus CHIKV is an enveloped, positive‑sense single‑stranded RNA virus that causes chikungunya fever, characterised by acute fever and debilitating...
Chitin
Chitin is a long-chain polymer composed of β-1→4-linked N-acetylglucosamine, an amide derivative of glucose. As the second most abundant polysaccharide in...
Chromosome
A chromosome is a package of DNA that contains part or all of the genetic material of an organism. In eukaryotic cells, chromosomes are long linear DNA...
Cidal effect
The cidal effect describes the killing action of a chemical or physical agent against microorganisms. A cidal agent causes cell death rather than merely...
Cilia
Cilia are slender, hair‑like organelles that protrude from the surface of many eukaryotic cells. Each cilium contains a core of microtubules called the...
Ciliates
Ciliates are single-celled eukaryotic microorganisms covered with numerous short hair-like structures called cilia used for swimming and feeding. They belong...
Clone
In microbiology a clone is a group of cells, organisms or DNA molecules that originate from a single ancestor and are genetically identical copies of that...
Clostridium botulinum
Clostridium botulinum is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that grows without oxygen, produces heat-resistant endospores and synthesizes potent neurotoxins...
Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
Clostridioides Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive, obligately anaerobic bacterium that forms resistant spores and produces toxins that cause diarrhea and...
Coagulase
Coagulase is a bacterial enzyme that converts soluble plasma fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin, forming clots around cells. Explanation Several pathogenic...
Coagulase Test
The coagulase test is a diagnostic method used to detect the enzyme coagulase produced by certain bacteria by observing plasma for clot formation or...
Coinfection
Coinfection refers to the simultaneous infection of a host by two or more different pathogens or strains. The interacting organisms may be viruses, bacteria,...
Coliform
Coliform bacteria are Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that are aerobic or facultatively anaerobic and ferment lactose with the production of acid and gas...