Letter: b

A substance or material that has an effect on living tissue.

The total number of viable (alive) microorganisms on an item.

A thin, slimy film of bacteria that adheres to a surface. A thin, gelatinous-like film secreted by bacterial cells providing them protection from many disinfectants, antibiotics and desiccation. Biofilms form in the bronchioles and alveolar sacs, commonly seen in cystic fibrosis patients who become infected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Also forms on catheters such as ET tubes, urinary catheters, blood stream catheters and on the surfaces of implanted devices.

Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. It is the energy released by a chemical reaction in the form of light, which is the product of a chemical reaction. Bioluminescence is a form of luminescence, or cold light emission; less than 20% of the light generates thermal radiation. It should not be confused with fluorescence, phosphorescence or refraction of light. Ninety percent of deep-sea marine life are estimated to produce bioluminescence in one form or another. We utilize this reaction to tag different bio-activities.

One of the white blood cells called a thymocyte responsible for the production of immunoglobulins (antibodies) of all types.

One of three basic shapes of bacteria; rod-shaped bacterium.