Actinomycetales

/ˌæktɪnəˌmaɪsɪˈteɪliːz/ noun

Definition

An order of bacteria characterized by filamentous growth and high guanine-cytosine content in their DNA; includes many important soil bacteria and some pathogens.

Etymology

From Actinomycete + -ales (Linnaean taxonomic suffix for orders). Represents a major bacterial order.

Kelly Says

Actinomycetales includes the bacteria that make many antibiotics we use in medicine—ironically, we discovered penicillin and streptomycin by studying the chemical warfare these bacteria wage against each other in soil!

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