Many shapes for bacteria
Bacteria are classed by shape, feeding method, metabolism and wall features. Different forms of cells can be observed under the microscope. Cocci (from the Greek berries) are round in shape; when clustered together, they are called staphylococci, while when gathered into chains they are called streptococci. Rod-like prokaryotes are called bacilli. Bacilli can usually be found as separate cells, but sometimes they can be found in pairs (diplobacilli) or chains (streptobacilli). Other bacteria are bent in shape or look like a squat spiral. The former are called vibriones, while the latter are called spirilla. Finally, bacteria that look like a long and flexible spiral are called spirochetes. Spirochetes include some “giant” bacteria that can be up to 0.5 mm long, i.e. 500 times bigger than an ordinary prokaryote cell.
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International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021
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8 March 2021
8 March. We remember Rosalind Franklin, the great female DNA scientist.
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26 July 2021
Japanese beetles and other alien species
There is a beetle that has been invading the Italian countryside and cities for some time now, a small insect…
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16 June 2021
A turtle’s life
World Sea Turtle Day is held on 16 June. First established in 2008, the day is now supported by Sea…
10 June 2021
The world below
Journey to the Centre of the Earth is a famous science fiction novel written by the great Jules Verne in…
From the Multimedia section
Facts
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Bio-luminescence
Many sea animals, including a lot of fish and molluscs that live in the dark in the ocean depths...
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Bacteria as Sherlock Holmes
A drop of blood, a fragment of skin or a hair found on the scene of a crime can supply…
Down-pouring bacteria
It sounds incredible, but recent researches have found that bacteria can cause some atmospheric phenomena...
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13 May 2011
Bio-luminescence
Many sea animals, including a lot of fish and molluscs that live in the dark in the ocean depths...
-
Bacteria as Sherlock Holmes
A drop of blood, a fragment of skin or a hair found on the scene of a crime can supply…
Down-pouring bacteria
It sounds incredible, but recent researches have found that bacteria can cause some atmospheric phenomena...
-
Bio-luminescence
Many sea animals, including a lot of fish and molluscs that live in the dark in the ocean depths...