Related Terms. Long-term (maturity over 10 years) fixed interest rate debt security issued by a national (federal) government backed by its 'full faith and credit.' Next to treasury bills (maturity less than one year), and treasury notes (maturity one to ten years) T-bonds are the safest form of marketable investment.
bacteria [pl. of bacterium], microscopic unicellular prokaryotic organisms characterized by the lack of a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Once considered a part of the plant kingdom, bacteria were eventually placed in a separate kingdom, Monera.
Microorganisms or microbes are microscopic organisms that exist as unicellular, multicellular, or cell clusters. Microorganims are widespread in nature and are beneficial to life, but some can cause serious harm. They can be divided into six major types: bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, and viruses.