Question

Give an account of classification of bacteria based on the shape.

Answer 1

Bacteria are microscopic, single celled prokaryotic organisms without nucleus and other cell organelles. Although majority of bacterial species exist as single celled forms, some appear to be filaments of loosely joined cells. The size varies from less than 1 to 10 µm in length and 0.2 to 1 µm micrometer in width.
Based on the shapes, bacteria are grouped as:

1. Spherical shaped bacteria called as cocci (or coccus for a single cell).
2. Rod-shaped bacteria called as bacilli (or bacillus for a single cell).
3. Spiral shaped bacteria called as spirilla (or spirillum for single cell)