AXENIC ANIMAL Meaning and
Definition
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Axenic animal refers to a laboratory animal, particularly a laboratory mouse or rat, that is completely free from any known or detectable microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The term "axenic" is derived from the Greek word "a" meaning "without" and "xenos" meaning "stranger" or "foreign."
Axenic animals are procured in a highly controlled environment, commonly through the use of sterile techniques, in order to ensure that they do not harbor any microbial contaminants. These animals are typically born and raised in germ-free or specific pathogen-free (SPF) isolators, which are specialized enclosures designed to maintain a completely sterile interior environment. Additionally, strict protocols and practices are implemented to prevent any contamination during handling, housing, and transportation of axenic animals.
These animals play a crucial role in biomedical research, particularly in studying the interactions between the immune system and microorganisms. By eliminating the influence of microbial flora, scientists can investigate the direct effects of specific pathogenic or non-pathogenic microorganisms, aiding in the understanding of host-microbe interactions, infectious diseases, and immune responses.
Axenic animals are a valuable resource for investigating the impact of microorganisms on various aspects of biology, physiology, and behavior. They provide a controlled experimental system that allows researchers to dissect the intricate relationships between host and microbe, offering insights into a wide range of scientific fields, including immunology, microbiology, and infectious diseases.
Common Misspellings for AXENIC ANIMAL
- zxenic animal
- sxenic animal
- wxenic animal
- qxenic animal
- azenic animal
- acenic animal
- adenic animal
- asenic animal
- axwnic animal
- axsnic animal
- axdnic animal
- axrnic animal
- ax4nic animal
- ax3nic animal
- axebic animal
- axemic animal
- axejic animal
- axehic animal
- axenuc animal
- axenjc animal
Etymology of AXENIC ANIMAL
The word "axenic" is derived from the Greek words "a-" meaning "without" and "xenos" meaning "stranger" or "foreign". In the context of biology, "axenic" refers to an environment or organism that is entirely free of other living organisms, particularly microorganisms. Thus, an "axenic animal" is one that is raised in a germ-free or sterile environment, devoid of any external microorganisms or parasites.
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