Axenic

/eɪˈzɛn.ɪk/ adjective

Definition

In biology, describing an organism or environment that is completely free of other living microorganisms, usually bacteria or germs.

Etymology

From Greek 'a-' (without) + 'xenos' (foreign/stranger). Created in the early 20th century by biologists studying germ-free organisms.

Kelly Says

Scientists raise 'axenic' animals in laboratories to study exactly which microbes cause diseases—it's like having a perfectly clean scientific experiment!

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