spirochete

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Definition

a flexible spiral shaped cell with periplasmic flagella. Spirochete cells are often a long rod or filament shape (length much greater than width) which is spiraled into a repeated waveform. Not to be confused with the "spirillum" morphology which is comprised of rigid spiral shapes. Not to be confused with "Spirochaete" or "Spirochete" (representing the taxon).

spirochete
Accepted term: 16-Oct-2015