Micrococcus
Micrococcus (pronunciation: /ˌmaɪkrəˈkɒkəs/) is a genus of bacteria in the Micrococcaceae family.
Etymology
The term "Micrococcus" comes from the Greek micros meaning "small" and kokkos meaning "granule". It was first described by Cohn in 1872.
Description
Micrococcus is a Gram-positive, nonmotile, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, and aerobic microorganism. It forms tetrads or irregular clusters. The cells are about 1 micrometer in diameter and have a thick cell wall, which may be an important factor in its survival in harsh conditions.
Habitat
Micrococcus species are commonly found in soil, water, dust, and in the air. They are also part of the normal flora of the skin, oropharynx, and nasopharynx of humans and other mammals.
Pathogenicity
Most Micrococcus species are harmless and reside on the skin of humans and other mammals. However, some species like Micrococcus luteus can cause opportunistic infections in humans with a compromised immune system.
Related Terms
- Micrococcus luteus
- Micrococcus roseus
- Micrococcus varians
- Micrococcaceae
- Gram-positive
- Oxidase
- Catalase
- Aerobic
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Micrococcus
- Wikipedia's article - Micrococcus
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