What are the characteristics of Spirochaetes?
Spirochetes are gram-negative, motile, spiral bacteria, from 3 to 500 m (1 m = 0.001 mm) long. Spirochetes are unique in that they have endocellular flagella (axial fibrils, or axial filaments), which number between 2 and more than 100 per organism, depending upon the species.
Where is Spirochaetes found?
Spirochetes are a group of six genera of spiral-shaped, slender bacteria of varying length. They are either free-living or host-associated. They are found in the human oral cavity, gastrointestinal tracts of humans, mammals, insects, and in marine environments.
How do endoflagella move?
Endoflagella are anchored at each end (pole) of the bacterium within the periplasmic space (between the inner and outer membranes) where they project backwards to extend the length of the cell. These cause a twisting motion which allows the spirochaete to move about.
What is the shape of spirochaetes?
Spirochetes are slender, spiral in shape, round on cross section, and multiply by transverse fission. Their movement is active and accomplished by spinning and flexing about the long axis. They are found in water, soil, decaying organic matter, plants, animals, and humans.
Are large spirochaetes?
The largest spirochete in the microbiological literature, Cristispira is usually the only spirochete seen in mollusk styles. Healthy termites, however, may contain from one to more than five different morphotypes of pillotina spirochetes difficult to distinguish from each other with a light microscope (Fig.
Are the spirochaetes present in the mouth pathogenic?
Reaction between infected periodontal tissue and monoclonal antibodies to Treponema pallidum has suggested that uncharacterized pathogen-related oral spirochaetes have surface structures and functions analogue to this well recognized pathogen.
How do you get spirochaetes?
Spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. These are typically acquired from animal contact, or water or soil contaminated by the urine of dogs, rats, or livestock in the course of recreation or work. Animals may remain asymptomatic shedders for years, and the organisms can remain viable after shedding for weeks to months.
What is the difference between flagella and endoflagella?
Flagella are cell structures that allow for movement. The spirochetes have a type of flagella called endoflagella. These are bundled together to form an axial filament. The axial filaments wrap around the cell body, connect both ends of the cell, and embed in the outer membrane.
What type of flagella do spirochetes have?
The spirochetes have a type of flagella called endoflagella. These are bundled together to form an axial filament. The axial filaments wrap around the cell body, connect both ends of the cell, and embed in the outer membrane. Spirilla-shaped bacteria do not have endoflagella; their flagella are external and only connected to one end of the cell.
What is the difference between a spirochete and a spirillum?
Microscopically, spirochete- and spirillum-shaped bacteria can look similar, but they can be distinguished based on the type of flagella present. Flagella are cell structures that allow for movement. The spirochetes have a type of flagella called endoflagella. These are bundled together to form an axial filament.
What is a spirochaete?
A spirochaete ( /ˈspaɪroʊˌkiːt/) or spirochete is a member of the phylum Spirochaetes ( /-ˈkiːtiːz/ ), which contains distinctive diderm (double-membrane) bacteria, most of which have long, helically coiled (corkscrew-shaped or spiraled, hence the name) cells. Spirochaetes are chemoheterotrophic in nature,…
What is the phylum of spirochete?
A spirochaete (/ˈspaɪroʊˌkiːt/) or spirochete is a member of the phylum Spirochaetes (/-ˈkiːtiːz/), which contains distinctive diderm (double-membrane) bacteria, most of which have long, helically coiled (corkscrew-shaped or spiraled, hence the name) cells.