The different shapes found in bacteria are given below in the table:
|
Shape
|
Description
|
Examples
|
|
Bacilli
|
Rod-like, Cylindrical
|
Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis
|
|
Cocci
|
Spherical or Ellipsoidal
|
Streptococci (in chains), Staphylococci (in bunches)
|
|
Spiral
|
Helically curved
|
Aquaspirillum
|
In addition to these three major shapes, some other unusual shapes of bacteria include filamentous, fusiform, stalked, spore bearing mycelia forms, pleomorphic forms and incomplete spirals (Vibrios) are also seen.
