Spherobacterium is a genus of bacteria that has a unique spelling due to its Latin roots. The "sphero-" prefix refers to a sphere or round shape, while the "bacterium" suffix implies a type of microorganism. The correct pronunciation of this word is /sfɪˌroʊbækˈtɪəriəm/, with emphasis on the second syllable. This phonetic transcription tells us the stress is on "back" and we should pronounce it with an "a" sound, and the "t" at the end of "bacterium" is silent. Ultimately, this challenging word's spelling reflects the scientific specificity required to identify and describe bacterial species.
Spherobacterium is a genus of spherical or coccoid-shaped bacteria belonging to the class Alphaproteobacteria. This genus is part of the family Sphingomonadaceae, which is known for its diverse metabolic capabilities and ecological importance. Spherobacterium organisms are typically found in various environmental habitats, including soil, freshwater, marine environments, and even wastewater treatment plants.
The bacteria in the genus Spherobacterium are gram-negative, meaning they have a thin peptidoglycan layer in their cell walls, which does not retain the crystal violet stain during Gram staining. They possess a rod-like or coccoid cell shape, often forming colonies that appear spherical in shape under microscopic examination.
Spherobacterium species are known to be both aerobic and heterotrophic, meaning they require oxygen for growth and obtain carbon and energy from organic compounds in their environment. They are versatile microorganisms that can utilize a wide range of carbon sources, allowing them to adapt to different ecological niches.
While the exact role of Spherobacterium bacteria in their respective environments is still being explored, they have been found to play roles in bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and nitrogen cycling. Further research is needed to understand their full metabolic potential and ecological significance within microbial communities.
In summary, Spherobacterium is a genus of gram-negative, coccoid-shaped bacteria found in diverse habitats, equipped with the ability to utilize various carbon sources. Their metabolic capabilities and ecological roles make them an interesting target for further investigation in the field of microbiology.
Sphaerobacterium, micrococcus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "spherobacterium" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots, "sphaira" and "bakterion".
"Sphaira" (σφαῖρα) means "sphere" in Greek, reflecting the round shape of these bacteria. It is also related to the English words "sphere" and "spherical".
"Bakterion" (βακτήριον) means "small staff" or "rod" in Greek. It is the diminutive form of "baktron" (βῆκτρον), which means "staff" or "rod". This root is related to the English word "bacteria", which reflects the rod-like or cylindrical shape of most bacteria.
When combined, "sphaira" and "bakterion" form the term "spherobacterium", which describes a spherical bacterium.