How Do You Spell SPIROCHETE?

Pronunciation: [spˈɪɹət͡ʃˌiːt] (IPA)

Spirochete is a medical term that refers to a group of spiral-shaped bacteria. The phonetic transcription of this word follows the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) and is /ˈspaɪrəkiːt/. The first syllable is pronounced as "spire," with an 'aɪ' sound, similar to the word "tyre." The second syllable is pronounced like the word "key," and the final syllable ends with a "t" sound. This word is often misspelled as "spirochette," with an extra "e," but the correct spelling only has one "e" at the end.

SPIROCHETE Meaning and Definition

1. A spirochete is a slender, spiral-shaped bacterium that belongs to the phylum Spirochaetes, characterized by a unique morphology and motility. Spirochetes are helically coiled, flexible organisms that have a distinct integrated helical shape due to multiple, axial fibrils that wrap around their bodies, providing flexibility and motility. They possess a characteristic corkscrew appearance, and this spiral shape enables them to move efficiently in viscous environments such as mucous or fluids in the body.

   Spirochetes are widespread in nature and can be found in various environments, including soil, water, and the gastrointestinal tracts of animals. Some spirochetes are pathogenic and can cause diseases in humans and animals. Well-known examples of spirochetal diseases include syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum, Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, and relapsing fever caused by various species of Borrelia.

   The unique physiology and morphology of spirochetes endow them with remarkable capabilities and adaptations. Their flexible structure and rotation enable them to burrow through host tissues, evade immune responses, and invade various organs. Spirochetes are often motile by employing flagella or axial filaments, which extends along the periplasmic space, providing torque to propel their movements.

   In summary, spirochetes are slender, spiral-shaped bacteria that exhibit a characteristic screw-like morphology and possess unique motility mechanisms. They can be found in diverse environments and include both harmless and pathogenic species.

2. Any individual of the genus Spirochceta.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for SPIROCHETE

• spirochaet
• spirochaeta
• spiroxchete
• spirocete
• spirochet
• spriochete
• spirochette
• spiroghete
• spiroliete
• Spirochaetae
• Spirecheta

Etymology of SPIROCHETE

The word "spirochete" has Greek origins. It is derived from the Greek words "speira" meaning "coil" or "twisted", and "chaitē" meaning "hair". The term was coined in 1870 by the Austrian zoologist Otto Mencke to describe a group of elongated, spiral-shaped bacteria.

Similar spelling words for SPIROCHETE

• sprocket,
• spruce up,
• spiracle,
• spruced up,
• sprucely,
• spirochaete,
• spark chamber,
• spirochaeta,
• spruce pine,
• spruceness,
• spruce beer,
• spracklen,
• sprecher.

Plural form of SPIROCHETE is SPIROCHETES