Question
Which of the following are major bacterial cell shapes?
A) Squamous
B) Bacillus
C) Spirillum
D) Cuboidal
E) Coccus
F) Lunate
A) Squamous
B) Bacillus
C) Spirillum
D) Cuboidal
E) Coccus
F) Lunate
Ask by Tyler Ryan. in the United States
Mar 26,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
The major bacterial cell shapes are Bacillus (rod-shaped), Spirillum (spiral-shaped), and Coccus (spherical-shaped).
Solution
The major bacterial cell shapes among the options provided are:
B) Bacillus - rod-shaped bacteria.
C) Spirillum - spiral-shaped bacteria.
E) Coccus - spherical-shaped bacteria.
C) Spirillum - spiral-shaped bacteria.
E) Coccus - spherical-shaped bacteria.
The other options (A) Squamous, (D) Cuboidal, and (F) Lunate are not considered major bacterial cell shapes.
Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor
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Bacillus, spirillum, and coccus represent three of the primary shapes that bacteria can take on, each with its unique form and function. Bacillus bacteria are rod-shaped, often associated with various diseases and can be found in soil. Spirillum bacteria, on the other hand, are spiral-shaped, resembling a corkscrew, which aids in their motility, while coccus bacteria are spherical and can form clusters or chains depending on their type!
Did you know that the way bacteria are shaped can affect how they interact with their environment and how they respond to antibiotics? For example, the thick cell wall of some cocci makes them targetable by certain antibiotics like penicillin, while the spiral shape of spirilla can allow it to burrow through host tissues more effectively. Understanding these shapes can be crucial in microbiology and medicine!
