Nonmotile (Adjective)
Meaning
(of spores or microorganisms) not capable of movement.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- Nonmotile spores can survive extreme conditions, but may struggle to colonize new environments without external aid.
- Many bacteria exist in both motile and nonmotile forms, with the nonmotile form often being the more resistant or dormant phase.
- A common method of differentiating nonmotile species of microorganisms involves comparing the genetic sequences and studying the physical characteristics of each specimen.
- Certain fungal spores can produce a sticky coating, causing them to become nonmotile and stick to a host organism's surface for further growth and infection.
- Studying nonmotile archaea and bacteria helps researchers understand how early microorganisms could have colonized various ecosystems and formed the basis for more complex life.