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.
Characteristics of the Kingdom Monera: Key characteristic - procaryotic (lack organized nuclei and membrane bound organelles) unicellular or colonial. most have cell walls and slime coats. most are heterotrophic (saprophytes, parasites) some are photosynthetic (some are both hetero. and auto.) some are chemosynthetic.