obligate /ob·li·gate/ (ob´lĭ-gāt) pertaining to or characterized by the ability to survive only in a particular environment or to assume only a particular role, as an obligate anaerobe.
obligate
obligate
ob·li·gate ( b l -gt, -g t )adj. Able to exist or survive only in a particular environment or by assuming a particular role. |
obligate
[ob′ligit, -gāt]
Etymology: L, obligare, to bind
characterized by the ability to survive only in a particular set of environmental conditions, such as an obligate parasite, which can survive only within the host organism. Compare facultative.
obligate
necessary, essential.
obligate accumulators
see accumulator plants.
obligate carrier
the subject is always available as a carrier of the infection.
obligate
adjective Necessarily; without alternative
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