Obligate
Obligate
Obligate (pronounced: /ˈɒblɪɡeɪt/) is a term used in various fields of medicine and biology. It is derived from the Latin word "obligatus", meaning "bound" or "compelled".
Definition
In a medical context, an obligate organism is one that is strictly limited to a particular condition of life. For example, an obligate anaerobe can only survive in an environment without oxygen, while an obligate aerobe requires oxygen to live.
Usage in Medicine
In medicine, the term obligate is often used to describe certain types of parasites or pathogens that can only survive and reproduce within a host organism. These are known as obligate parasites or obligate pathogens.
Usage in Biology
In biology, obligate is used to describe species that are restricted to a particular way of life. For example, obligate carnivores, like the lion, can only survive by eating meat, while obligate herbivores, like the elephant, can only survive by eating plants.
Related Terms
- Obligate aerobe: An organism that requires oxygen to grow.
- Obligate anaerobe: An organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen.
- Obligate parasite: A parasite that cannot survive without its host.
- Obligate symbiosis: A relationship between two species in which both species are entirely dependent on each other for survival.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Obligate
- Wikipedia's article - Obligate
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