bacteria

any of a division (Bacteria) of monerans, microorganisms which are typically one-celled, have no chlorophyll, multiply by simple division, and can be seen only with a microscope: they occur in three main forms, spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), and spiral (spirilla): some bacteria cause diseases such as pneumonia and anthrax, and others are necessary for fermentation, nitrogen fixation, etc.

bacteriology

the branch of biology that studies and classifies bacteria. —bacteriologist, n. —bacteriologic, bacteriological, adj.

chromatophobia

a strong resistance by bacteria to absorbing stains. —chromatophobic, adj.

hemophile

a bacterium that grows well in the presence of hemoglobin. —hemophilic, adj.

microbiology

the branch of biology that studies microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and pathogenic protozoa. —microbiologist, n.

microphobia, microbiophobia

an abnormal fear of microorganisms. —microphobic, adj.