Bacterial Cell

Morphologies and
Arrangements

What is a bacteria?
Prokaryotic microorganism that is too small to be
seen without an unaided eye
Bacteria are found everywhere from hot springs to
on your own skin.

How do we identify bacteria?

Bacterial cell morphology
Bacterial cell arrangement

What is a Morphology?
The form and structure of a particular organism,
organ, tissue or cell.
This includes the shape and other externally
visible characteristics of the cell or colony of
bacteria.

Why is Morphology
Important?
Helps identify bacterial species
May assist motility of bacteria
May have selective benefits for survival of
bacteria

Types of Morphologies
1) Bacillus = rod/cigar shaped

Types of Morphologies
2.) Coccus = spherical shaped
EX: Streptococcus

Types of Morphologies
3.) Coccobacilli = potato/cigar butt shaped
Shape in between a Coccus and a Bacillus
EX: Chlamydia trachomatis

Types of Morphologies
4.) Spirilla = Spiral shaped
EX: Spirillum minus = rat bite fever

Types of Morphologies
5.) Vibrios = slightly curved rods
EX: Cholera

What is Cell Arrangement

mean?
Determined by the number of planes in which the
division occurs and on whether the cells separate
after the division

SO.. Which ones undergo these

multicellular associations?
Cocci
Bacilli

Division Patterns Among

Cocci

Division patterns Among

Bacilli
Bacilli do NOT exhibit tetrads or sacrinae like cocci
do.
Streptobacillus

Recap:
Morphology refers to the shape of the bacterial cell
Arrangement describes the different types of
divisions that may occur

5 Types of
Morphologies:
1.) Bacillus
2.) Coccus
3.) Coccibacilli
4.) Vibrios
5.) Spirilla

5 Types of
Arrangements in
Cocci:
1.) Diplococcus
2.) Streptococcus
3.) Tetrads
4.) Sacrina
5.)
Staphylococcus

Which one is a Coccibacilli?

Which one is a Vibrio-shaped

cell?

Which one is a bacilli?

Which is a Cocci-shaped?

Which is a spirilla?

Which Division is
Diplococcus?

Which Division is
Staphylococcus?

Which Division is a Tetrad?

Which Division is a
Streptococcus?

Which is a Sacrina?