Electrolysis Practice Exam

What shape does bacteria have that are termed 'staphylocci'?

1. Rod-shaped

2. Spiral-shaped

3. Round-shaped

4. Square-shaped

The correct answer is: Round-shaped

Staphylococci are characterized by their round shape, which is a defining feature of this type of bacteria. These bacteria typically appear in clusters that resemble a bunch of grapes due to their method of cellular division, where they reproduce by binary fission but remain attached to one another after splitting. This clustering is distinctive and differentiates staphylococci from other shapes of bacteria. In the context of bacterial morphology, the other shapes typically include rod-shaped bacteria known as bacilli and spiral-shaped bacteria referred to as spirilla or spirochetes. The term 'square-shaped' does not apply to any common bacteria classification and does not reflect any known morphology in microbiological studies. Thus, round-shaped is the correct descriptor for staphylococci, aligning with established scientific classification.