13.2: Classifying Individual Bacterial Cells by Shape

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Contributed by Ellen Genovesi, Laura Blinderman, & Patrick Natale
Professors (Biological Sciences) at Mercer County Community College

Individual bacterial cells can be classified by three basic shapes. Spirilla are corkscrew shaped, cocci are round, and bacilli are rod-like. Examine the prepared slides set and sketch the appearance of each bacterial type. Sketch one or two individual cells: