ACAPSULAR Meaning and
Definition
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Acapsular is an adjective used to describe a microorganism or a bacterium that lacks a capsule, a protective layer around the external surface of the bacterial cell. Capsules are made up of polysaccharides or proteins and can function as an essential defense mechanism for bacteria, protecting them from phagocytosis (the engulfing and destruction of bacteria by immune cells), desiccation (drying out), and immune responses. However, acapsular bacteria, which lack this important protective layer, are more susceptible to these challenges and have a reduced ability to evade the host immune system.
The absence of a capsule in acapsular bacteria can also have clinical implications. Capsules are often associated with bacterial virulence and the ability to cause disease. Without a capsule, some bacteria may have a decreased ability to colonize and invade tissues, leading to reduced pathogenicity. However, others may possess alternative mechanisms to survive and cause infection. For example, acapsular Streptococcus pneumoniae strains are still capable of colonizing the upper respiratory tract and causing diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis.
In summary, the term acapsular refers to microorganisms or bacteria that lack a capsule, a protective layer that enhances their survival and virulence. This absence can impact their ability to evade the immune system and may affect their capacity to cause disease.
Common Misspellings for ACAPSULAR
- zcapsular
- scapsular
- wcapsular
- qcapsular
- axapsular
- avapsular
- afapsular
- adapsular
- aczpsular
- acspsular
- acwpsular
- acqpsular
- acaosular
- acalsular
- aca-sular
- aca0sular
- acapaular
- acapzular
- acapxular
Etymology of ACAPSULAR
The word "acapsular" is derived from two main components:
1. "A" - The prefix "a-" is derived from the Greek language and has a negating or denial meaning. It indicates the absence or lack of something. In this context, it denotes the absence of a capsule.
2. "Capsular" - The adjective "capsular" is derived from the noun "capsule". The term "capsule" comes from the Latin word "capsula", which means a small container or a small case. In biology, a capsule refers to a protective covering that surrounds certain organisms or structures.
Therefore, combining the prefix "a-" with "capsular" creates the neologism "acapsular", meaning lacking or without a capsule. It is often used in medical or biological contexts to describe organisms or structures that do not possess a capsule.
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