Definition

Noun * A family of pleomorphic, Gram-negative, nonmotile microorganisms that are similar to both viruses and bacteria and are parasitic in mammals. They are the smallest known cells capable of independent growth and lack a true cell wall.

Usage

• The term "Mycoplasmataceae" is used in scientific and medical contexts, specifically in microbiology, veterinary science, and medicine, to classify and discuss this specific family of parasitic microorganisms.
• It is a proper noun (the scientific name of a taxonomic family) and is typically capitalized.

Examples

• Scientific Classification: " is a family within the class Mollicutes."
• Medical Research: "The study focused on several pathogens within the family known to cause respiratory illnesses in cattle."
• Microbiological Description: "Organisms belonging to are notable for their absence of a cell wall, which makes them resistant to many common antibiotics like penicillin."

Advanced Usage

• In technical literature, the name may be used without italics in certain formatting styles, but it is always capitalized. The singular form referring to a single organism is "a mycoplasmatacean" (not commonly used) or more generally "a member of the ."

Variants and Related Words

• Mycoplasma (n): The type genus of the family . Often used more broadly to refer to any organism within the class Mollicutes.
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of atypical pneumonia.
• Mollicutes (n): The class to which the family belongs, encompassing all wall-less bacteria.
• PPLO (n): An older acronym standing for "Pleuropneumonia-Like Organisms," an early name for mycoplasmas.

Synonyms

• There are no direct common-language synonyms for this scientific taxonomic name. In general descriptive contexts, it might be referred to as:
  • A family of mycoplasmas.
  • Wall-less parasitic bacteria.

Notes on Meaning

• The definition highlights key distinguishing features: pleomorphic (able to change shape), Gram-negative (a staining characteristic in bacteriology), nonmotile (not self-propelling), and the critical fact that they lack a cell wall. This last property is central to their biology and their treatment in medicine.

Noun

1. pleomorphic Gram-negative nonmotile microorganism similar to both viruses and bacteria; parasitic in mammals