spirochete

Thân thiện

A scientist observes a spirochete under a microscope.

Definition

Noun: 1. A type of long, slender, spiral-shaped bacterium: A spirochete is a bacterium characterized by its distinctive corkscrew or helical shape and its unique mode of locomotion using internal, axial filaments. 2. A parasitic or free-living microorganism: Spirochetes can live independently or as parasites. Many species are pathogenic, meaning they can cause diseases in humans and other animals.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Under the microscope, the spirochete was visible due to its tight spiral form.
  • Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete transmitted through tick bites.
  • The scientist studied the motility of the spirochete in the liquid medium.

Advanced Usage

• Taxonomic Context: The term "spirochete" often refers to any bacterium belonging to the phylum . This is a formal, scientific usage.
  • Treponema pallidum, the spirochete that causes syphilis, is difficult to culture in a laboratory.

Variants and Related Words

• Spirochaete: An alternative, chiefly British English spelling of "spirochete."
• Spirochetal (adj): Relating to or caused by spirochetes.
  • The patient was diagnosed with a spirochetal infection.

Synonyms

• Spirochaete (n): The direct synonym, differing only in spelling.
• Helical bacterium (n): A descriptive term referencing its shape.

Related Terms (Not Synonyms)

• Treponema (n): A genus of spirochetes, including the causative agent of syphilis.
• Borrelia (n): A genus of spirochetes, including the causative agent of Lyme disease.
• Leptospira (n): A genus of spirochetes, some of which cause leptospirosis.

Học thuật

Noun

1. parasitic or free-living bacteria; many pathogenic to humans and other animals

Từ đồng nghĩa

• spirochaete