obligate

(adjective)

Able to exist or survive only in a particular environment or by assuming a particular role: an obligate parasite; an obligate anaerobe.

Related Terms

Examples of obligate in the following topics:

  • Genome Reduction

    • A common explanation for these keen manipulative abilities is the compact and efficient genomic structure consistently found in obligate endosymbionts.
    • In fact, as much as 90% of the genetic material can be lost when a species makes the evolutionary transition from a free-living to obligate intracellular lifestyle.
    • One obligate endosymbiont of psyllid, Candidatus Carsonella ruddii, has the smallest genome currently known among cellular organisms at 160kb.
    • It is important to note, however, that some obligate intracellular species have positive fitness effects on their hosts.
    • The reductive evolution model has been proposed as an effort to define the genomic commonalities seen in all obligate endosymbionts.

  • Medical Importance of Viruses

    • Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that hijack a host cell's machinery to replicate, thereby causing disease.
    • In addition, the threat of bioterrorism became a reality on U.S. soil, creating an obligation for scientists to respond with aggressive countermeasures.

  • Chlamydiae

    • Chlamydiae are a bacterial phylum and class whose members are obligate intracellular pathogens.
    • Chlamydiae are a bacterial phylum and class whose members are obligate intracellular pathogens.

  • Microbial Growth Cycle

    • Conversely, obligate anaerobes are killed by oxygen and carry out fermentation.
    • Tetanus is an obligate anaerobe so it will infect areas where oxygen in limited.

  • Hyperthermophiles from Terrestrial Volcanic Habitats

    • Thermophiles are classified into obligate and facultative thermophiles; obligate thermophiles (also called extreme thermophiles) require such high temperatures for growth, whereas facultative thermophiles (also called moderate thermophiles) can thrive at high temperatures, but also at lower temperatures (below 50°C).

  • Inoculation of Live Animals

    • Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and cannot grow on inanimate media.

  • Overview of Proteobacteria

    • Most members are facultatively or obligately anaerobic, chemoautotrophs, and heterotrophic, but there are numerous exceptions.

  • Facultative Phototrophy

    • In terms of biology facultative means "optional" or "discretionary" the antonym of which is obligate meaning "by necessity".

  • Bacteroidetes and Chlorobi

    • The Phylum Chlorobi are characterized by bacteria that are obligately anaerobic photoautotrophic which includes green sulfur bacteria.

  • Gas Requirements

    • Some example free-living diazotrophs include: 1) obligate anaerobes that cannot tolerate oxygen even if they are not fixing nitrogen.