What is the difference between rods and cocci?

What is the difference between rods and cocci?

Bacteria exhibit a wide variety of shapes but the commonly studied species of bacteria are generally either spherical in shape which are called cocci (singular coccus) or have a cylindrical shape and are called rods or bacilli (singular bacillus). A spherical body will experience greater frictional resistance.

What is the advantage of rod shaped bacteria?

Another benefit of a rod-like shape is the inherent breaking of symmetry, allowing the cell to concentrate molecules at specific cellular locales. Despite their small size, bacteria are capable of concentrating proteins at different locations in the cell.

Which cells are better suited for a moist environment because they have a larger surface to volume ratio?

Organisms with high surface to volume ratio (rods,spirilla) often survive better in moist environments where their ability to exchange materials with their surroundings is an asset for nutrient acquisition of water loss is not a concern.

What is the consequence of leaving a stain on the bacterial smear too long Overstaining )? Of not leaving the stain on long enough?

What are some consequences of leaving a stain on a bacterial smear too long (over-staining)? Consequences of over-staining are that the cell wall may be broken up or completely destroyed which would result in a loss of morphological characteristics of the bacterial cell.

Is E coli rod shaped or cocci?

E. coli is a Gram negative anaerobic, rod-shaped, coliform bacteria of the genus Escherichia, commonly found in the lower intestine of humans and animals.

Is rod-shaped bacteria harmful?

Most strains of Bacillus are not pathogenic for humans but may, as soil organisms, infect humans incidentally. A notable exception is B. anthracis, which causes anthrax in humans and domestic animals.

What is the consequence of Overstaining a bacterial smear?

(Overstaining the bacterial smear may cause the cell wall disruption or totally destroy the cell wall which results in the loss of true morphological characteristics of the bacterial cell) 2. What is the consequence of leaving a stain on the bacterial smear too short (under-staining)?

Do humans have E. coli?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of people and animals. Most E. coli are harmless and actually are an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract.