gnotobiotic Applied to a culture in which the exact composition of organisms is known, down to the presence or absence of bacteria. Such cultures usually develop during the formation of experimental laboratory ecosystems (microcosms) from axenic cultures. The word is derived from the Greek gnosis, meaning ‘knowledge’, and bio, meaning ‘(human) life’.

gnotobiotic Applied to a culture in which the exact composition of organisms is known, down to the presence or absence of bacteria. Such cultures usually develop during the formation of experimental laboratory ecosystems (microcosms) from axenic cultures. The word is derived from the Greek gnosis, meaning ‘knowledge’, and bio, meaning ‘(human) life’.

gnotobiotic Applied to a culture in which the exact composition of organisms is unknown, usually during the formation of experimental laboratory ecosystems (microcosms) from axenic cultures.

gnotobiotic Designating germ-free conditions, especially those in which experimental animals are inoculated with known strains of microorganisms.