Mycoplasma

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M. genitalium

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M. hominis

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M. pneumoniae

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etc.

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Mycoplasma is a genus of small bacteria which lack cell walls. Several species are pathogenic in humans, including M. pneumoniae, which is an important cause of pneumonia and other respiratory disorders, and M. genitalium, which is believed to be involved in pelvic inflammatory diseases.

Related Topics:
Bacteria - Cell wall - Pathogen - M. pneumoniae - Pneumonia - M. genitalium

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Mycoplasma are members of the class Mollicutes. Mollicutes are bacteria which have small genomes, lack a cell wall and have low G+C content (18-40 mol%). There are over 100 recognised species of the genus mycoplasma. Their genome size ranges from 0.6 - 1.35 megabase-pairs. Mycoplasmas are most often parasites or commensals of humans, other animals including insects, and plants. Cholesterol is required for the growth of most of those with animal hosts. Their optimum growth temperature often the temperature of their host if warmbodied (e.g. 37 degrees Celsius in humans) or ambient temperature if the host is unable to regulate its own internal temperature. It is widely believed that Mycoplasmas are descendants of the Lactobacillus-Clostridium branch of the phylogenetic tree (Firmicutes sensu stricto).

Related Topics:
Mollicutes - Mol - Genome - Parasite - Commensal - Cholesterol - Firmicutes

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