microorganisms
41Industrial microbiology — or microbial biotechnology encompasses the use of microorganisms in the manufacture of food or industrial products. The use of microorganisms for the production of food, either human or animal, is often considered a branch of food microbiology.… …
42bacteria — bacterial, adj. bacterially, adv. /bak tear ee euh/, n.pl., sing. bacterium / tear ee euhm/. ubiquitous one celled organisms, spherical, spiral, or rod shaped and appearing singly or in chains, comprising the Schizomycota, a phylum of the kingdom …
43Biodegradation — Yellow slime mold growing on a bin of wet paper Biodegradation or biotic degradation or biotic decomposition is the chemical dissolution of materials by bacteria or other biological means. The term is often used in relation to ecology, waste… …
44Life on Mars — For other uses, see Life on Mars (disambiguation). An artist s impression of what Mars surface and atmosphere may look like if Mars were terraformed. Scientists have long speculated about the possibility of life on Mars owing to the planet s… …
45Dental plaque — Inadequate removal of plaque caused a build up of calculus (dark yellow color) near the gums on almost all the teeth. Dental plaque is a biofilm, usually a pale yellow, that develops naturally on the teeth. Like any biofilm, dental plaque is… …
46soil — soil1 soilless, adj. /soyl/, n. 1. the portion of the earth s surface consisting of disintegrated rock and humus. 2. a particular kind of earth: sandy soil. 3. the ground as producing vegetation or as cultivated for its crops: fertile soil. 4. a… …
47germfree life — Introduction biological condition characterized by the complete absence of living microorganisms. Gnotobiology comprises the study of germfree plants and animals, as well as living things in which specific microorganisms, added by… …
48biosphere — biospheric /buy euh sfer ik/, adj. /buy euh sfear /, n. 1. the part of the earth s crust, waters, and atmosphere that supports life. 2. the ecosystem comprising the entire earth and the living organisms that inhabit it. [1895 1900; < G Biosphäre; …
49drug — drug1 /drug/, n., v., drugged, drugging. n. 1. Pharm. a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well being. 2. (in federal law) a. any substance… …
50Drug — /droog/, n. Zoroastrianism. the cosmic principle of disorder and falsehood. Cf. Asha. [ < Avestan drauga] * * * I Any chemical agent that affects the function of living things. Some, including antibiotics, stimulants, tranquilizers,… …
