Mycoplasmas are bacteria that lack cell walls but can still invade human cells. The order to which they belong, Mycoplasmatales, is spelled /ˌmaɪkoʊplæzməˈteɪliːz/ in IPA transcription. The first syllable, "myco", is stressed and rhymes with "eye" and "go". The "plasm" syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound, followed by a stressed "m" and a silent "s". The final syllable, "atales", is pronounced with a long "a" and a silent "e". The spelling of Mycoplasmatales can be challenging, but mastering the IPA transcription can help to pronounce it correctly.
Mycoplasmatales is an order of bacteria that belong to the class Mollicutes. These bacteria are characterized by a lack of a cell wall, making them unique among prokaryotes. Instead, they possess a triple-layered cell membrane, which gives them increased flexibility and allows them to adopt various morphologies. The name Mycoplasmatales is derived from the genus Mycoplasma, one of the most well-known and extensively studied genera within this order.
Members of the Mycoplasmatales are pleomorphic, meaning they can adopt different shapes, ranging from spherical to filamentous or coccoid. They are typically small in size, with a diameter of around 0.1-0.5 micrometers. These bacteria are known to be quite fastidious and have demanding growth requirements, making them challenging to culture in the laboratory.
Mycoplasmas are unique in their ability to colonize and infect a wide range of animals, including humans, other mammals, birds, reptiles, and even plants. They are known for causing a variety of diseases in both humans and animals, including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Due to their small size, lack of a cell wall, and ability to infect different tissues, mycoplasmas have been the focus of significant research in microbiology, immunology, and veterinary medicine. Understanding the biology and pathogenicity of mycoplasmatales is essential for the development of effective diagnostic methods, preventive strategies, and treatments for diseases associated with these bacteria.
The word "mycoplasmatales" is derived from Greek and Latin roots.
The term "myco-" comes from the Greek word "mukēs" (μύκης), which means "fungus". In biological terms, "myco-" is used to refer to organisms belonging to the fungal kingdom.
The word "plasma" originates from the Greek term "plasma" (πλάσμα), which means "something molded". In microbiology, "plasma" refers to the gel-like substance that fills the cell and surrounds the nucleus.
The suffix "-ales" is derived from the Latin word "ales", which means "pertaining to". In taxonomy, the suffix "-ales" is commonly used to indicate the order of organisms.