Incubation

incubation /in·cu·ba·tion/ (in?ku-ba´shun)

1. the provision of proper conditions for growth and development, as for bacterial or tissue cultures.

2. the development of an infectious disease from time of the entrance of the pathogen to the appearance of clinical symptoms.

3. the development of the embryo in the eggs of oviparous animals.

4. the maintenance of an artificial environment for an infant, especially a premature infant.

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in·cu·ba·tion (nky-bshn, ng-)

n.

1. The act of incubating or the state of being incubated.

2. The maintenance of controlled environmental conditions for the purpose of favoring the growth or development of microbial or tissue cultures.

3. The maintenance of an infant, especially a premature infant, in an environment of controlled temperature, humidity, and oxygen concentration in order to provide optimal conditions for growth and development.

4. The development of an infection from the time the pathogen enters the body until signs or symptoms first appear.

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Incubation

The time period between exposure to an infectious agent, such as a virus or bacteria, and the appearance of symptoms of illness.

Mentioned in: Hemorrhagic Fevers

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incubation (in″kūbā´shn),

n the maintenance of an ideal environment with regard to temperature, light, air, and humidity in order to foster development of an organism or culture.

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incubation

1. the provision of proper conditions for growth and development, as for bacterial or tissue cultures.

2. development of a disease by multiplication of an infectious agent within the host.

3. the development of the embryo in the eggs of oviparous animals. See also avian incubation periods.

4. the maintenance of an artificial environment for a neonate, especially a premature one.

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artificial incubation

use of a machine which warms, turns, humidifies bird eggs to incubate and eventually hatch them.

incubation behavior

see avian broodiness; almost non-existent in egg-laying birds; persists in meat strains and turkeys.

incubation period

the interval between effective exposure to a pathogenic infectious agent, leading to the invasion of the body and the establishment of the infection, and the appearance of the first clinical signs of the disease in question. Incubation periods vary from a few days to several years, depending on the causative organism and type of disease. See also extrinsic incubation period.