Bacterioprecipitin

/bæk,tɪərioʊprɪˈsɪpɪtɪn/ noun

Definition

An antibody that reacts with bacterial antigens to form a visible precipitate.

Etymology

From bacterio- (bacteria) + precipitin (from Latin praecipitare, 'to throw down'). A compound that causes a visible chemical reaction with bacteria.

Kelly Says

Bacterioprecipitin reactions were crucial in early forensics and medical diagnostics—they allowed scientists to identify specific bacteria through visible reactions before modern DNA testing existed.

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