spirillum

/'spairiləm/

Thân thiện

A scientist observes a spirillum under a microscope.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of bacteria: A spirillum is any of various flagellated, aerobic bacteria that have a rigid, helically twisted rodlike shape.
   • A bacterial shape: The term also refers to the characteristic spiral or corkscrew form of these bacteria, which are often found in stagnant water.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Under the microscope, the scientist observed a spirillum moving rapidly due to its flagella.
  • Spirillum volutans is a large, well-known species of this bacterial genus.
  • The water sample from the pond contained several spirillum among other microorganisms.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Classification: In taxonomy, "Spirillum" (capitalized) is also a genus name within the family Spirillaceae.
  • The bacterium was identified as belonging to the genus Spirillum.

Variants and Related Words

• Spirilla (n): The plural form of spirillum.
  • The researcher studied the movement patterns of various spirilla.
• Spirillar (adj): Relating to or characteristic of spirilla.
  • The infection was caused by a spirillar bacterium.

Synonyms

• Spiral bacterium: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the shape.
• Helical bacterium: A technical synonym referring to the helix-like form.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

• Bacillus: A rod-shaped bacterium, contrasting with the spiral shape of a spirillum.
• Spirochete: Another type of spiral-shaped bacterium but with a flexible, undulating body, unlike the rigid spirillum.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any flagellated aerobic bacteria having a spirally twisted rodlike form
2. spirally twisted elongate rodlike bacteria usually living in stagnant water

Từ đồng nghĩa

• spirilla