What is "axenic"

axenic \axenic\ adj.

1. raised under sterile conditions; -- of experimental animals; as, axenic conditions.

2. pure or completely free of the presence of other organisms; -- used of cultures of microorganisms; as, an axenic culture.

   Syn: uncontaminated; germ-free.

a. 1 (context biology English) Containing only a single species of microorganism. For example, an "axenic culture" means that a pure sample of the organism in question has been grown. 2 (context biology English) isolated from organisms of any other species

1. adj. (of experimental animals) raised under sterile conditions; "axenic conditions"; "germfree animals"

2. used of cultures of microorganisms; not contaminated by or completely free of the presence of other organisms; "an axenic culture"

In biology, axenic describes the state of a culture in which only a single species, variety, or strain of organism is present and entirely free of all other contaminating organisms. The earliest axenic cultures were of bacteria or unicellular eukaryotes, but axenic cultures of many multicellular organisms are also possible. Axenic culture is also an important tool for the study of symbiotic and parasitic organisms in a controlled manner.