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Spirochetaceae Borrelia Brevinema Cristispira Spirochaeta Spironema Treponema "Serpulinaceae" Brachyspira (Serpulina) Leptospiraceae Leptospira Leptonema
Spirochaetes is a phylum of distinctive Gram-negative bacteria, which have long, helically coiled cells.[1] Spirochetes are chemoheterotrophic in nature, with lengths between 5 and 250 µm and diameters around 0.1-0.6 µm.citation needed
Spirochaetes are distinguished from other bacterial phyla by the location of their flagella, sometimes called axial filaments, which run lengthwise between the cell membrane and outer membrane. These cause a twisting motion which allows the spirochaete to move about. When reproducing, a spirochaete will undergo asexual transverse binary fission.
The spirochaetes are divided into three families (Brachyspiraceae, Leptospiraceae, and Spirochaetaceae), all placed within a single order (Spirochaetales). Disease-causing members of this phylum include the following:
Most spirochaetes are free-living and anaerobic, but there are numerous exceptions, including the above.
Cavalier-Smith has postulated that the Spirochaetes belong in a larger clade called Gracilicutes.[4]
Last update: 2008-05-06 13:31:59 Spirochetal | Copyright 2008 HubHip.com>