Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

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What are spiral-shaped bacteria called?

  1. Bacilli

  2. Cocci

  3. Spirilli

  4. Diplococci

The correct answer is: Spirilli

Spiral-shaped bacteria are referred to as spirilli. This term is derived from their distinct corkscrew shape, which differentiates them from other bacterial forms. Bacilli, on the other hand, are rod-shaped bacteria, while cocci are spherical in shape. Diplococci refer specifically to cocci that are arranged in pairs. The classification of bacteria based on their shapes is an important aspect of microbiology and helps in identifying the types of bacteria present in various environments, as well as understanding their potential roles in health and disease. In the context of the question, identifying spiral-shaped bacteria as spirilli is essential for proper microbial classification and understanding pathogenic behaviors associated with such shapes.