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symbiont Definition

sym·bi·ont (sim′bī änt′, -bē-)

noun

an organism living in a state of symbiosis

Etymology: Ger < Gr symbiountos, prp. of symbioun: see symbiosis

symbiont Related Forms
sym′·bi·on′·tic adjective
symbiont Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • bacterial: The organism Rhizobia are bacterial symbionts of legumes ( plants in the family Fabaceae ).
  • fungal: Fungal symbionts produce ascospores but they do not initiate independent new growth.

Noun used with modifier

  • legume: The legume symbiont, Sinorhizobium meliloti, is tremendously important for fixing nitrogen from the air into plant roots and the soil.