What is axenic culture? Explain.

Answer

### Step-by-Step Text Solution:

1. **Definition of Axenic Culture**:
- Axenic culture refers to a culture that contains only a single species of organism, free from any other contaminating organisms. This term is commonly used in microbiology.

2. **Importance of Axenic Culture**:
- The primary purpose of axenic culture is to study the specific characteristics and behaviors of a single species without interference from other species. This is crucial for research and applications in fields such as microbiology, biotechnology, and medicine.

3. **Examples of Axenic Culture**:
- For instance, if a researcher wants to culture *Bacillus thuringiensis*, they would ensure that only this specific bacterium is present in the culture medium. No other bacteria, fungi, or viruses should be included in the culture.

4. **Methodology**:
- To achieve an axenic culture, sterile techniques are employed. This includes using sterilized equipment, media, and environments to prevent contamination. The culture medium must be carefully prepared and handled to ensure that only the desired organism grows.

5. **Applications**:
- Axenic cultures are essential in various applications, including the production of antibiotics, studying microbial interactions, and understanding the physiology of specific organisms.

6. **Conclusion**:
- In summary, axenic culture is a vital technique in biology that allows researchers to isolate and study a single species of organism, ensuring that it is free from contamination by other organisms.