Activity No.

BACTERIAL CYTOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY

Cytology is the branch of science which deals with the study of cells in relation to its structure, function and
chemistry. The study of form and structure of the microorganism refers to morphology. The morphological
study with bacteria is very important. Since bacterial cells in aqueous suspensions have optical properties
like water, they are very difficult to observe by normal bright field microscopy. The visibility of the cells
should be increased through staining.

There are three basic morphologies of bacteria (based on the shape of a single cell): bacillus (little rod),
coccus (grain or berry) or spiral (coiled or helical). The cocci often take a multi-cell forms: as two cocci joined
together (diplococci), as chains (streptococci) or in clusters (staphylococcus) The rod forms vary
considerable from a very short rods that sometimes mistaken as cocci, to a very long filament. The spiral
can be a vibrio, spirillum or a spirochete.

Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory Manual- Revised September 2021 1

OBJECTIVES:

After accomplishing this activity, the students will be able:

1. To identify and familiarize the different parts of a bacterial cell

2. To know the specialized structures of bacteria and how these structures contribute to its pathogenecity3.
3. To identify bacteria according to their shapes and arrangements

MATERIALS:
Prepared slides or charts illustrating the various types of bacterial cell morphology and other
structures.
Staphylococcus aureus
Bacillus subtilis
Vibrio cholerae
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Clostridium tetani
Neisseria gonorrhea

PROCEDURE:

1. Examine the following slides under the microscope using the three objectives.
2. Take note of the bacterial morphology

Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory Manual- Revised September 2021 2

 Group No: ________
ACTIVITY NO. 5
Date of Performance: _________________

Submission Deadline:
BACTERIAL CYTOLOGY AND
MORPHOLOGY Date: ___________
Time: ___________

Instructor: __________________________
CONTENT: NEATNESS:

________ ________ THIS PORTION WILL BE FILLED BY THE RECEIVING

END:
Group rating:

OVERALL: Date of Submission: _________________

Time of Submission: _________________

Received by:
___________________________________

GROUP MEMBERS CONTRIBUTIONS

LEADER:
MEMEBERS:

Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory Manual- Revised September 2021 3

 Activity No. 5
BACTERIAL CYTOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY
WRITE-UP SHEET

DRAWING:
1. Draw the appearance of the specimen observed.
Staphylococcus aureus Bacillus subtilis

Vibrio cholerae Streptococcus pneumoniae

Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory Manual- Revised September 2021 4

 Clostridium tetani Neisseria gonorrheae

2. Isnsert a labeled illustration (from the internet/references) of a typical bacterial cell

Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory Manual- Revised September 2021 5

QUESTION/S FOR RESEARCH:
1. Aside from the specimens focused. Give at least 3 examples of bacteria based on the shape.

SOURCE/REFERENCES:

Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory Manual- Revised September 2021 6