Crossword clues for clostridia
The Collaborative International Dictionary
clostridium \clostridium\ n. clostridia
-
spindle-shaped bacterial cell esp. one swollen at the center by an endospore.
Syn: clostridia.
[capitalized] a genus of anaerobic, spore-forming motile bacteria of the family Bacillaceae, including several pathogenic species, such as the causative agents of gas gangrene ( Clostridium perfringens), botulism ( Clostridium botulinum), and tetanus ( Clostridium tetani).
Wiktionary
n. (plural of clostridium English)
WordNet
See clostridium
n. spindle-shaped bacterial cell especially one swollen at the center by an endospore [syn: clostridium]
n. spindle-shaped bacterial cell especially one swollen at the center by an endospore [syn: clostridia]
[also: clostridia (pl)]
Wikipedia
The Clostridia are a highly polyphyletic class of Firmicutes, including Clostridium and other similar genera. They are distinguished from the Bacilli by lacking aerobic respiration. They are obligate anaerobes and oxygen is toxic to them. Species of the genus Clostridium are often but not always Gram-positive (see Halanaerobium hydrogenoformans) and have the ability to form spores. Studies show they are not a monophyletic group, and their relationships are not entirely certain. Currently, most are placed in a single order called Clostridiales, but this is not a natural group and is likely to be redefined in the future.
Most species of the genus Clostridium are saprophytic organisms found in many places in the environment, most notably the soil. However, the genus does contain some human pathogens (outlined below). The toxins produced by certain members of the Clostridium genus are among the most dangerous known. Examples are tetanus toxin (known as tetanospasmin) produced by C. tetani and botulinum toxin produced by C. botulinum. Some species have been isolated from women with bacterial vaginosis.
Notable species of this class include:
- Clostridium perfringens ( gangrene, food poisoning)
- Clostridium difficile ( pseudomembranous colitis)
- Clostridium tetani ( tetanus)
- Clostridium botulinum ( botulism)
- Clostridium acetobutylicum
- Clostridium haemolyticum
- Clostridium novyi
- Clostridium oedematiens
Heliobacteria and Christensenella are also members of the class Clostridia.
Some of the enzymes produced by this group are used in bioremediation.
Usage examples of "clostridia".
The corpse is a paradise of luminescent bacteria, anaerobic clostridia, penicilliumall working their own active, grimy little bodies into action, where they oxidize fat, break down protein and carbohydrates.
Highly distorted, because of gas bubbles from the clostridia infection that bloated the animal.