Definition

A type of substance made by certain bacteria that can kill or inhibit the growth of other bacteria of the same family.

Example

Researchers are studying bacteriocins to develop new antibiotics.

Conversation

Have you heard about bacteriocin?

Yeah, it's some kind of substance produced by bacteria, right?

Exactly! It can actually harm other strains in the same family.

That’s pretty cool! Nature has some fascinating ways to fight bacteria.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bacteriocin is formed from "bacterium" (from Greek "bakterion", meaning rod or staff, referring to the shape of certain bacteria) and "-cin" (a suffix used in biochemistry to denote substances that have a specific action, often derived from Latin "cinis", meaning ash). The word refers to a substance produced by bacteria that inhibits the growth of similar or closely related bacterial strains.

Memory Tip

Think of 'bacterium' as the source of the substance and '-cin' as indicating a specific action, helping you remember that bacteriocin is a substance that bacteria produce to inhibit other bacteria.

Visually Confused Words