Thiomargarita magnifica is Godzilla of the microbial world

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Categories: Comparisons

An example of metaphor in public science discourse:

"Researchers have discovered a species of bacteria which dwarfs all others by thousands of times. Normally you need a microscope to see single-celled bacteria, but Thiomargarita magnifica is the length and width of an eyelash. It's been found growing in mangrove swamps in the Caribbean. Roland Pease talks to Jean Marie Volland about what makes this Godzilla of the microbial world extra-special."

BBC 'Science in Action'

From the programme/podcast description for an episode ('Monster microbe') of BBC's 'Science in Action'.

[Please be aware that a word may have different nuances, or even a different meaning, according to context.]« Back to Index

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.