diplococcus

Thân thiện

A scientist observes a diplococcus under a microscope.

Definition

Noun: 1. A type of spherical bacterium that typically occurs in pairs: A diplococcus is a gram-positive bacterium characterized by its round shape and its tendency to remain attached in couples after cell division.

Examples of Usage

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Advanced Usage

• Scientific Classification: The term is often used in microbiology and medicine to describe the morphology (shape and arrangement) of certain bacteria. It is a descriptive term based on microscopic observation.
• Pathogenic Species: Some well-known pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria are diplococci, for example, (causes pneumonia) and (causes gonorrhea).

Variants and Related Words

• Diplococci (n): The plural form of diplococcus.
  • The sample contained numerous diplococci.
• Coccus (n): A general term for any spherical bacterium. A diplococcus is a specific arrangement of cocci.
• Streptococcus (n): A genus of bacteria that are gram-positive and often form chains; some species, like , appear as diplococci.

Synonyms

• Bacterium (in pairs): A more general term.
• Micrococcus (in pairs): A related but not perfectly interchangeable term for spherical bacteria.

Notes on Meaning

The word "diplococcus" specifically refers to the paired arrangement of the bacterial cells. It is not the name of a single genus but a morphological description that applies to bacteria from different genera (e.g., Streptococcus, Neisseria). The "diplo-" prefix means "double" or "in pairs."

Học thuật

Noun

1. Gram-positive bacteria usually occurring in pairs