Klatrists

Klatrists are a fictional species from the popular science fiction novel "The Andromeda Strain" by Michael Crighton. In the story, klatrists are an extraterrestrial life form encountered by a team of scientists. They are depicted as microscopic organisms, appearing as a complex, crystalline structure with a rapid reproductive cycle. Their primary characteristic is their ability to rapidly break down organic matter, leading to their designation as a highly dangerous and virulent pathogen. The scientific investigation into the klatrist's nature forms the central plot of the novel, focusing on understanding its biology, its effects on Earth life, and the methods required to contain and neutralize it. The klatrists in the novel are not a sentient species but rather a biological agent, posing a significant threat due to their unique and aggressive biological mechanisms. Their discovery and study highlight themes of scientific discovery, the potential dangers of extraterrestrial contact, and the challenges of biological containment.