noun
vector
A carrier that introduces biological material into another organism or cell.
A mosquito acts as a vector when it spreads malaria.
Etymology
The Latin source directly means carrier. Biology applies it to an organism or vehicle that carries material into another organism or cell.
More examples
- Ticks are vectors for the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
- Researchers use a modified virus as a vector to deliver genes.
- This plasmid serves as a vector for DNA introduced into bacteria.
Forms
vector · vectors
Similar words
- carrier
- Carrier also includes infected hosts that do not transmit disease.
- vehicle
- Vehicle is broader, covering biological and nonbiological means of delivery.