colony-forming unit

Noun

 * 1)  A progenitor cell participating in hematopoiesis that gives rise to a particular lineage or type of blood cells.
 * 2)  A unit which estimates the number of viable microbial cells (bacteria, fungi, viruses etc.) in a sample.
 * 1)  A unit which estimates the number of viable microbial cells (bacteria, fungi, viruses etc.) in a sample.