Definition of acidophilic in English:
acidophilic
adjective ˌasɪdə(ʊ)ˈfɪlɪkəˌsɪdə(ʊ)ˈfɪlɪkəˌsidəˈfilik
Biology 1(of a cell or its contents) readily stained with acid dyes.
Example sentencesExamples
- Methylene blue stains basophilic constituents of the tissue, whereas erythrocin stains the acidophilic elements.
- The tumor cells had elongated blunt-ended nuclei and acidophilic fibrillary cytoplasm.
- Histologically the tumor cells closely resemble normal hepatocytes, although the cytoplasm may be more acidophilic or hydropic than in those cells in the surrounding liver.
- When eosin is used as a tissue stain, the acidophilic structures are sometimes referred to as eosinophilic.
- The cytoplasm is predominantly acidophilic with some residual basophilia.
2(of a microorganism or plant) growing best in acidic conditions.
Example sentencesExamples
- The Adiantum venustum needs to be grown in a specific soil for acidophilic plants, soft and with an average drainage.
- The site is rich in acidophilic species, particularly pteridophytes and bryophytes, and contains a number of regionally rare taxa.
- The conditions at Champagne Pool are ideal for thermophilic, mildly acidophilic archaeans such as the Sulfobales and Thermoproteales.
- The benefits of liming catchments have also been questioned on conservation grounds as some naturally acidophilic plant communities would be damaged.
- The cooperatives, undisputed market leaders in the production of acidophilic plants for garden centres, cannot give up on a policy of research.