Cocci
Cocci
Cocci (pronunciation: /ˈkɒksaɪ/ or /ˈkɒksi/) are any microorganisms of the bacteria group that are spherical, ovoid, or generally round in shape. The term "cocci" is derived from the Greek word "kokkos" which means "berry".
Cocci can occur as single cells or remain attached following cell division. Those that remain attached can be classified based on cellular arrangement: diplococci (pairs), streptococci (chains), staphylococci (grape-like clusters), and tetrads (groups of four).
Types of Cocci
There are several types of cocci bacteria, including:
- Staphylococcus: These are usually found in grape-like clusters. They are responsible for various diseases such as skin infections, respiratory diseases, and food poisoning.
- Streptococcus: These are found in chains or pairs and can cause diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, ear infections, and throat infections.
- Neisseria: These are typically found in pairs (diplococci) and are responsible for diseases such as gonorrhea and meningitis.
- Enterococcus: These are found in chains or pairs and can cause serious infections in the human body, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia, endocarditis, and others.
Related Terms
- Bacteria: Microscopic single-celled organisms that can be found everywhere. They can be dangerous, such as those that cause infectious diseases, or they can be beneficial, as in the process of fermentation (souring of milk) and decomposition (the decay of dead organisms).
- Microorganism: A microscopic organism, which may be a single cell or multicellular organism. The study of microorganisms is called microbiology.
- Infection: The invasion of an organism's body tissues by disease-causing agents, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agents and the toxins they produce.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cocci
- Wikipedia's article - Cocci
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