Mycoplasma
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
| Mycoplasma | |
|---|---|
| |
| Mycoplasma haemofelis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | Mycoplasma Nowak 1929
|
| Species | |
|
over 100 species | |
Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria. They do not have a cell wall around their cell membrane.[1] They are gram-negative, and need sterols such as cholesterol for growth. Many common antibiotics such as penicillin that target cell walls do not affect mycoplasma. 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 a common 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.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- ↑ Sweet, Richard L. & Gibbs, Ronald S. 2009. Infectious diseases of the female genital tract. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
