bacilli
sing. bacillus
One of three forms of bacteria, usually rod-shaped.
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sing. bacillus
One of three forms of bacteria, usually rod-shaped.
The noun has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations
Synonyms: bacillus, B
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Bacillus subtilis, Gram
stained
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Bacilli specifically refers to a taxonomic class of bacteria. It includes two orders, Bacillales and Lactobacillales, which contain several well-known pathogens like Bacillus anthracis (the cause of anthrax), Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus. All members of Class Bacilli are gram-positive.
There are several related concepts that make use of similar words, and the ambiguity can create considerable confusion. The term "Bacillus" (capitalized and italicized) is also the name of a genus that, among many other genera, falls within the Class Bacilli.
Also, "bacillus" (or the plural "bacilli") can be a generic term to describes the morphology of any rod-shaped bacterium. This general term does not mean that the subject is a member of the class or genus that has a similar name. Thus, the two do not necessarily have a similar group of characteristics. Not all members of Class Bacilli are rod-shaped (Staphylococcus is not), and many other rod-shaped bacteria exist that do not fall within that class. Morevoer, the general term "bacillus" does not necessarily indicate the Gram-positive staining common to Class Bacilli. For example E. coli is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that could be described as "a Gram-negative bacillus". Some microbiologists have forsaken the general "bacillus" term because of the confusion it can create.
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![]() | Science Dictionary. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved. Read more | |
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