Date: Thu Jun 29 00:05:16 EDT 2000
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--axenic
axenic (ay-ZEN-ik) adjective

Not contaminated by or associated with any other living organisms. Usually used in reference to pure cultures of microorganisms that are completely free of the presence of other organisms.

[A- not + Greek xenikos foreign + -ic]

"Cultures that are free of contamination are easy to initiate and maintain. Axenic cultures, although not essential for successful growth and observations, allow experimentation without the uncontrolled effects on
growth and differentiation that may be associated with fungal or bacterial contaminants."
Hickok, Leslie G., et al, Sex and the C-Fern: not just another life cycle, BioScience, Dec 98.