Mycoplasma

Definition

Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria that lack a cell wall, making them unique among prokaryotes. Their absence of a cell wall renders them resistant to many common antibiotics such as penicillin.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mycoplasma are the smallest self-replicating organisms known.
2. They are characterized by their pleomorphic shape, meaning they can alter their shape or size in response to environmental conditions.
3. Mycoplasma species often inhabit mucosal surfaces of animals and humans, including the respiratory tract and urogenital tract.
4. Due to the lack of a cell wall, Mycoplasma cannot be classified as either Gram-positive or Gram-negative using traditional staining methods.
5. Some species of Mycoplasma are pathogenic and can cause diseases such as pneumonia in humans.

Review Questions

• Why can't Mycoplasma be classified using traditional Gram staining?
• What environments do Mycoplasma typically inhabit?
• How does the absence of a cell wall affect Mycoplasma's resistance to certain antibiotics?

Related terms

Prokaryote: A unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Gram Staining: A method used to differentiate bacterial species into two groups based on the structural differences in their cell walls.

Pathogenic Bacteria: Bacteria that can cause disease in hosts.