Microbiology ch.21

streptobacilli

a genus of bacteria containing gram- negative rods, which form a chain- like colony

binary fission

a method of asexual reproduction in bacteria in which cells split into two parts, each of which develops into a complete individual

glycocalyx

a sticky, gelatinous coating that surrounds the cell wall

endospore

a thick- walled cell produced by a bacterium to enable it to survive unfavorable environmental conditions

bacterial colony

a visible group of bacteria growing on a solid medium, presumably arising from a single microorganism

diplococci

any of various spherical bacteria appearing in pairs

bacillus

any rod- shaped microorganism

coccus

any type of bacteria that is spherical or ovoid in form

peritrichous

bacterium with flagella distributed over the entire cell

amphitrichous

bacterium with one flagellum at either end

monotrichous

bacterium with only one flagellum

lophotrichous

bacterium with two or more flagella on either end

streptococci

gram- positive spherically shaped bacteria that occurs in chains

flagella

long, whip- like, filament- containing appendages that propel bacteria in liquid

phospholipids

repeating units of fats and clusters of phosphorus

sporulation

the process of forming an endospore

mycoplasmas

the smallest known bacteria that can grow and reproduce outside the living host cell

morphology

the study of the size; shape, and arrangements of microorganisms