The word "Spirochaetida" refers to a class of spiral-shaped bacteria. Its spelling can be tricky, but it follows the standard Latin spelling rules. The "ch" in "chaetida" is pronounced as a hard "k" sound, so it is spelled with the letter "c" following the "h." The "ae" in "Spirochaetida" is pronounced as a long "i" sound, so it is spelled with the letter "i" following the "e." In IPA transcription, the word is /spaɪroʊˈkiːtɪdə/.
Spirochaetida refers to a class of highly specialized, elongated, and spiral-shaped bacteria belonging to the phylum Spirochaetes. This class encompasses a diverse group of microorganisms typically found in various aquatic and terrestrial environments. Spirochaetida bacteria are known for their unique locomotion mechanisms, which involve the rotation and flexing of their flexible cell bodies.
These bacteria are characterized by their distinct morphology, consisting of a long and helical cell with a characteristic corkscrew appearance. They possess axial filaments, or endoflagella, that run along the length of their cells, providing the propulsive force necessary for their locomotion. This enables the spirochaetes to move efficiently through viscous mediums like mucus and fluid environments.
Members of Spirochaetida class are known to be motile and exhibit a range of metabolic capabilities. Some are aerobes, while others are anaerobes. Additionally, they can be free-living or parasitic, causing diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Examples of pathogenic spirochetes include Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, and Borrelia burgdorferi, responsible for Lyme disease.
The Spirochaetida class plays crucial roles in various ecosystems, including the cycling of nutrients and carbon. They can be found in diverse habitats, such as freshwater, marine environments, soil, and even within the digestive tracts of animals. In certain environments, they are exceptionally abundant, showcasing their adaptability and ecological significance.
In summary, Spirochaetida refers to a class of highly specialized spiral-shaped bacteria that exhibit distinctive motility mechanisms and play crucial roles in ecosystems while also causing diseases in humans and animals.
An order of Zoomastigophora, embracing elongated motile spiral organisms, usually evidently flagellated.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Spirochaetida" is derived from the combination of two words: "spiro" and "chaetida".
The term "spiro" comes from the Greek word "speira", meaning "coil" or "spiral". This is derived from "speirein", which means "to twist". It is used to describe the twisted, spiral shape of the spirochaete bacteria, a group of Gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacteria that have a distinct corkscrew-like appearance.
"Chaetida" is derived from the Greek word "khaite", meaning "mane" or "hair". The suffix "-ida" is added to indicate a group or class of organisms. This combination refers to the flexible, wavy appearance of the spirochaetes resembling a mane or hair.