Microbiology terms - F
- facultative
- Literally means "optional"; an adjective used to describe that an environmental factor is
optinally (not necessarily) required for an oragnism to grow. For example, a facultative
anaerobe can normally grow in the presence of oxygen but alternatively, it can also grow
without oxygen.
- facultative aerobe
- An organism which is normally anaerobic but can also grow in the presence or oxygen (O2)
- facultative anaerobe
- An organism which is normally aerobic but can also grow without oxygen.
- feedback inhibition
- Inhibition by an end product of the biosynthetic pathway involved in its synthesis.
- fermentation
- 1. Catabolic reactions producing ATP in which organic compounds serve as both primary
electron donor and ultimate electron acceptor.
2. A large-scale microbial process.
- fermenter
- An organism which carries out the process of fermentation.
- fermentor
- A large growth vessel used to culture microorganisms on a large scale frequently for the
production of some commercially valuable product.
- ferredoxin
- An electron carrier of low reduction potential; small protien containing iron-sulfur clusters.
- fever
- A rise of body temperature above the normal.
- filamentous
- In the form of very long rods, many times longer than wide.
- fimbria (plural fimbriae)
- Short filamentous structure on a bacterial cell; although flagella-like in structure, generally
present in many copies and not involved in motility. Plays a role in adherence to surfaces and
in the formation of pellicles. See also pilus.
- fission
- A type of cell division in which overall (i.e., not localized) cell growth is followed by septum
formation which typically divides the fully grown cell into two similar or identical cells.
- flagellum (plural flagella)
- An organ of motility.
- flavoprotein
- A protein containing a derivative of riboflavin, which acts as electron carrier in the
electron-transport system.
- flesh-eating bacteria
- A strain of Group A streptococcus which, in severe cases, can destroy tissue as fast as
surgeons can cut it out. The rapid destruction of tissue caused by these bacteria is localized,
so it is unlikely to be caused by a general overstimulation of the immune system by, for
example, superantigen exotoxin A. Instead, the invasive strains of strep A probably have
other toxin(s) such as exotoxin B, an enzyme (i.e. a cysteine protease) that destroys tissue by
breaking down protein. (Ref: Science 264:1665, 1994)
- fluorescent
- Having the ability to emit light of a certain wavelength when activated by light of another
wavelength.
- fluorescentantibody
- Immunoglobulin molecule which as been coupled with a fluorescent molecule so that it
exhibits fluorescence.
- fomite
- An inanimate object which, when contaminated with a viable pathogen, can transfer the
pathogen to a host.
- food infection
- Microbial infection resulting from ingestion of contaminated food.
- food poisoning
- Disease resulting from ingestion of food contaminated with a toxin produced by a
microorganism.
- frameshift
- Since the genetic code is read three bases at a time, if reading begins at either the second or
third base of a codon, a faulty product usualy results. This is called a frameshift (the reading
frame refers to the pattern of reading).
- free energy
- Energy available to do useful work.
- fruiting body
- A macroscopic reproductive structure produced by some fungi (e.g., mushrooms) and some
Bacteria (e.g., myxobacteria). Fruiting bodies are distinct in size, shape, and coloration for
each species.
- fungus (plural fungi)
- Nonphototrophic eukaryotic microorganisms that contain rigid cell walls.
- fusiform
- Spindle-shaped; tapered at both ends.
- fusion protein
- The result of translation of two or more genes joined such that they retain their correct
reading frames but make a single protien.
Compiled by Tsute Chen, Converted by Ben Hoyt