Mycoplasma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mycoplasma | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Firmicutes |
| Class: | Mollicutes |
| Order: | Mycoplasmatales |
| Family: | Mycoplasmataceae |
| Genus: | Mycoplasma Nowak 1929 |
| Species | |
|
over 100 species |
|
Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria. They lack a cell wall around their cell membrane.[1] They are gram-negative, and need sterols such as cholesterol for growth. Without a cell wall, they are unaffected by many common antibiotics such as penicillin which target cell wall synthesis. Mycoplasma are the smallest bacterial cells yet discovered.[2] They are typically about 0.1 µm in diameter.
Many species are parasitic, pathogenic or saprophytic, and can survive without oxygen. In humans, M. genitalium causes urethritis, and M. pneumoniae is an important cause of pneumonia.
References[change | change source]
- ↑ Ryan K.J. & Ray C.G. (eds) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. 409–12. ISBN 0-8385-8529-9.
- ↑ Sweet, Richard L. & Gibbs, Ronald S. 2009. Infectious diseases of the female genital tract. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,.
