Mycoplasmataceae

Mycoplasmataceae (pronunciation: my-co-plaz-ma-ta-ce-ae) is a family of bacteria within the class Mollicutes.

Etymology

The term "Mycoplasma" is derived from the Greek words "mykes" (meaning fungus) and "plasma" (meaning formed). This is due to the fact that they were originally thought to be related to fungi due to their lack of a cell wall and their filamentous growth form.

Description

Mycoplasmataceae are characterized by their lack of a cell wall, which makes them naturally resistant to many common antibiotics such as penicillin that target cell wall synthesis. They can be parasitic or saprotrophic. Several species are pathogenic in humans, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia, and Mycoplasma genitalium, which causes several urogenital disorders.

Related Terms

Mollicutes: The class of bacteria to which Mycoplasmataceae belong.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae: A species of Mycoplasmataceae that causes pneumonia in humans.
Mycoplasma genitalium: A species of Mycoplasmataceae that causes several urogenital disorders in humans.
Cell wall: A structural layer surrounding some types of cells, just outside the cell membrane, which Mycoplasmataceae lack.
Antibiotics: Medicines that inhibit the growth of or destroy microorganisms, to which Mycoplasmataceae are naturally resistant.