Mycoplasma Salivarium
Classification
Bacteria; Mycoplasmatota; Mollicutes; Mycoplasmatales; Mycoplasmataceae [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]
Species
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NCBI: [1] |
Mycoplasma Mycoplasma salivarium
Description and Significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
The bacteria known as Mycoplasma salivarium are the smallest of the group of bacteria known to exist. They lack a cell wall, which makes them unresistant to some common antibiotics, such as penicillin. Mycoplasma are also the smallest known living bacterial cells. They can survive without oxygen, and they are typically around 0.1 μm in diameter. The Mycoplasma salivarium can be found in almost all mouths of the healthy population. It is regarded as a part of the oral flora and a communicational organism.
Genome Structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
References
Author
Page authored by _____, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.
