Classification of Bacteria

Based on Morphology bacteria can be classified into six major groups

1.Cocci - These are spherical or oval cells. On the basis of arrangement of individual
organisms they can be described as

 Monococci (Cocci in singles) - Monococcus spp.

 Diplococci (Cocci in pairs) - Streptococcus pneumoniae
 Staphylococci (Cocci in grape-like clusters) Staphylococcus aureus
 Streptococci (Cocci in chains) Streptococcus pyogenes
 Tetrad (Cocci in group of four) - Micrococcus spp.
 Sarcina (Cocci in group of eight)

2. Bacilli - These are rod-shaped bacteria

e.g. E.coli, Klebsiella etc.

Chinese-letter pattern shaped bacilli bacteria : Corynebacterium diptheriae

Coccobacilli : Proteus

3. Vibrio-coma shaped

e.g. : V.cholerae

4. Actinomycetes-These are rigid organisms like true bacteria but they resemble fungi in
that they exhibit branching and tend to form filaments.

e.g. A.isreali

5. Spirochaetes-These are relatively longer, slender, non-branched microorganisms of spiral

shape having several coils.

e.g. Leptospira, Treponema etc.

6. Mycoplasmas-They occur in round or oval bodies and in interlacing filaments. These

bacteria lack in rigid cell wall (cell wall lacking) and are highly pleomorphic and of indefinite
shape.

e.g. M. pneumoniae
Based on Oxygen dependence bacteria are classified into different groups

Aerobes are those bacteria that require oxygen for growth.

Obligate aerobe those bacteria that cannot grow without oxygen for growth e.g.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Vibrio cholerae

Obligate Anaerobes grow in absence of free oxygen, e.g. Clostridium, Bacteroides.

They will die on exposure to even trace amounts of oxygen.

Facultative anaerobes are usually aerobes and grow under both aerobic and
anaerobic conditions. Most bacteria of medical importance are facultative anaerobes,
e.g.Enterobacteriaceae.

Microaerophils grow best in oxygen less than that present in the air, e.g.
Campylobacter.

Bacteria that grow well with CO2 rich environment is called carboxyphilic or
capnophilic. Eg Brucella abortus.

Based on Motility bacteria are classified into motile and non-motile

Motile Bacteria eg:- ( E.coli,vibrio etc.)

Non-motile Bacteria eg:- (Klebsiella, staphylococci)