Shapes of Bacteria

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There are three main shapes of bacteria. These are:

• Coccus
• Bacillus
• Spiral

Each of the shapes have varieties. Let's get to each of them quickly, together with their descriptions.

Coccus

This type of bacteria has a spherical shape. The plural name is cocci. Examples of cocci bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pyogenes, streptococcus pneumonia, etc.

Depending on how they are arranged, coccus may be further classified as diplococcus, streptococcus, staphylococcus, among others.

Diplococcus consist of two bacteria  joined together.

Streptococcus consist of a chain of bacteria

Staphylococcus consist of a cluster of bacteria

Bacillus

This group consist of rod shaped bacteria. Examples include Bacillus antraxis, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus mycoides