Mollicutes

Mollicutes are a class of bacteria in the phylum Tenericutes. They are distinguished by the absence of a cell wall around their cell membrane. This characteristic, shared by all Mycoplasma, gives them a flexibility that can be seen under the microscope as a twisting motion. The name "Mollicutes" is derived from the Latin mollis (soft or flexible), and cutis (skin).

Characteristics

Mollicutes are typically very small, ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 μm in diameter and 0.5 to 2.0 μm in length. They are Gram-negative, although they do not always stain as such due to their lack of a cell wall. They are also pleomorphic, meaning they can change their shape and size in response to changes in their environment.

Mollicutes are facultative anaerobes, meaning they can survive in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments. They are also osmotolerant, meaning they can tolerate a wide range of salt concentrations.

Classification

Mollicutes are classified into four orders: Mycoplasmatales, Acholeplasmatales, Anaeroplasmatales, and Entomoplasmatales. These orders are further divided into families, genera, and species.

Pathogenicity

Some species of Mollicutes are pathogenic, causing diseases in humans and other animals. For example, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia, and Mycoplasma genitalium is associated with urethritis and other sexually transmitted infections.

See also

• Mycoplasma
• Spiroplasma
• Ureaplasma

References

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  Phylogenetic position of Mollicutes among bacteria