Bacillus

views updated Jun 27 2018

Bacillus A genus of bacteria in which the cells are rod-shaped, often motile, and typically Gram-positive. Endospores can be formed in the presence of air. Bacillus species are chemo-organotrophic. Some can grow only in the presence of air; others can grow in either the presence or absence of air. There are many species, found in a wide range of habitats. Some species can cause disease in vertebrate animals (e.g. anthrax), or in insects; insecticidal species, particularly B. thuringiensis, are used in the biological control of insect pests.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

bacillus

views updated May 21 2018

ba·cil·lus / bəˈsiləs/ • n. (pl. -cil·li / -ˈsilī/ ) a disease-causing bacterium. ∎ a rod-shaped bacterium.DERIVATIVES: bac·il·lar·y / ˈbasəˌlerē/ adj.ORIGIN: late 19th cent.: from late Latin, diminutive of Latin baculus ‘stick.’

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

bacillus

views updated Jun 08 2018

bacillus Any rod-shaped bacterium. Generally, bacilli are large, Gram-positive, spore-bearing, and have a tendency to form chains and produce a capsule. Some are motile, bearing flagella. They are ubiquitous in soil and air and many are responsible for food spoilage. The group also includes Bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax.

A Dictionary of Biology

bacillus

views updated Jun 27 2018

bacillus (bă-sil-ŭs) n. (pl. bacilli) any rod-shaped bacterium. See also Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Streptobacillus.

A Dictionary of Nursing

bacillus

views updated May 29 2018

bacillus Genus of rod-like bacteria present everywhere in the air and soil. One example of a species that is pathogenic in man is Bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax.

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