How Do You Spell SPIRAL BACTERIUM?

1. A spiral bacterium refers to a type of bacteria that possesses a spiral or helical shape. These bacteria exhibit a distinctive morphological feature, being characterized by a spiral or corkscrew-like structure, which enables them to move in a specific direction. They belong to the phylum Spirochaetes, which comprises a diverse group of bacteria known for their spiral morphology and unique motility.

   Spiral bacteria have a characteristic coiled appearance and contain a flexible cell wall, enabling them to alternate between rigid and flexible forms. This flexibility is crucial for their locomotion, as they are capable of undulating their body and propelling themselves through various environments, including viscous fluids like mucus or bodily fluids. This motility is facilitated by the presence of axial filaments or flagella, located within the periplasmic space between the outer sheath and the cell membrane.

   Spiral bacteria are often found in various ecological niches, including soil, water, plants, and animals. Some notable examples of spiral bacteria include Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, and Borrelia burgdorferi, responsible for Lyme disease. These bacteria are deemed medically important due to their association with several human diseases.

   In summary, a spiral bacterium denotes a bacterium displaying a spiral or helical shape, specifically belonging to the phylum Spirochaetes. Their unique morphology and motility enable them to navigate different environments, and certain species within this group have significant implications in human health.

2. Spirillum, one of the Spirillaceae.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for SPIRAL BACTERIUM

The word "spiral bacterium" is a compound term that can be broken down into two parts: "spiral" and "bacterium".

The term "spiral" is derived from the Medieval Latin word "spiralis", which means "winding" or "coiled". This Latin word is derived from the Latin verb "spirare", meaning "to breathe". The term "spiral" is used in biology to describe any object or structure that is curved or coiled like a spiral.

The term "bacterium" comes from the Greek word "bakterion", which means "small rod" or "little stick". It is the singular form of the Greek word "bakteria", which refers to a group or collective of small rods. This term was originally used to describe any microscopic organism or microbe that has a rod-like shape.