myxobacteria

myx·o·bac·te·ri·um

M0516050 (mĭk′sō-băk-tîr′ē-əm)n. pl. myx·o·bac·te·ri·a (-tîr′ē-ə) Any of numerous rod-shaped, aerobic, gram-negative bacteria of the order Myxococcales that move by gliding and have a complex life cycle in which vegetative cells aggregate into fruiting bodies and differentiate into desiccation-resistant spores.

Thesaurus

Noun

myxobacteria - bacteria that form colonies in self-produced slime; inhabit moist soils or decaying plant matter or animal wastegliding bacteria, myxobacter, myxobacterium, slime bacteriaeubacteria, eubacterium, true bacteria - a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagellaMyxobacterales, Myxobacteriales, order Myxobacterales, order Myxobacteria, order Myxobacteriales - an order of higher bacteria

Myxobacteria

(Greek myxa-, slime) a group of Gram-negative (see GRAM'S STAIN), AEROBIC, gliding BACTERIA, within the PURPLE BACTERIA, that characteristically form fruiting bodies. The bacteria move by gliding and leave a trail of slime. Bacterial CELLS aggregate, many undergo LYSIS, the remainder become resting SPORES (myxospores) contained within a stalked fruiting body. Myxospores can subsequently germinate to produce new vegetative cells. Myxobacteria occur in the SOIL and on decaying vegetation and dung.

myxobacteria

Related to myxobacteria: streptomyces, mycobacteria, Sulfolobus

noun

Synonyms for myxobacteria

noun bacteria that form colonies in self-produced slime

Synonyms

gliding bacteria
myxobacter
myxobacterium
slime bacteria

Related Words

eubacteria
eubacterium
true bacteria
Myxobacterales
Myxobacteriales
order Myxobacterales
order Myxobacteria
order Myxobacteriales