Spirochetes

• What are spirochetes?

  Flexible, coiled, motile organisms
• What is the length range of spirochetes?

  1. 20 micrometers
• How do spirochetes progress?

  By rapid body movements
• What are the three main groups of spirochetes?

  • Treponemes
  • Borreliae
  • Leptospires
• What is the characteristic shape of spirochetes?

  Coiled
• What is the significance of the motility of spirochetes?


  It allows them to move rapidly in their environment
• How do the three groups of spirochetes differ from each other?

  They are classified based on their genetic and phenotypic characteristics