Spirochete: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฆ
spirochete
[ หspaษชrษหkiหt ]
bacteria type
Spirochetes are a group of highly flexible, spiral-shaped bacteria. They are characterized by their unique corkscrew motion, which allows them to move through viscous environments, such as bodily fluids. Spirochetes are often associated with various diseases, the most notable being syphilis and Lyme disease. These bacteria can be found in a variety of environments, including soil and waterways, but are most known for their role as pathogens in humans and animals.
Synonyms
corkscrew bacteria, spiral bacteria
Examples of usage
- The doctor tested for spirochetes in the patient's blood.
- Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Spirochetes are distinguished from other bacteria by their unique shape.
- Researchers are studying the movement of spirochetes in different environments.
Translations
Translations of the word "spirochete" in other languages:
๐ต๐น espiroqueta
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเฅเคชเคพเคเคฐเฅเคเคฟเค
๐ฉ๐ช Spirochete
๐ฎ๐ฉ spiroseta
๐บ๐ฆ ัะฟััะพั ะตัะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ krฤtek
๐ฏ๐ต ในใใญใใผใฟ
๐ซ๐ท spirochรจte
๐ช๐ธ espiroqueta
๐น๐ท spiroket
๐ฐ๐ท ์คํผ๋กํคํ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุณุจูุฑูููุช
๐จ๐ฟ spirocheta
๐ธ๐ฐ spirocheta
๐จ๐ณ ่บๆไฝ
๐ธ๐ฎ spiroheta
๐ฎ๐ธ spirokett
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะฟะธัะพั ะตัะฐ
๐ฌ๐ช แกแแแ แแฎแแขแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ spiroxeta
๐ฒ๐ฝ espiroqueta
Etymology
The term 'spirochete' is derived from the Greek words 'spira', meaning 'coil', and 'khฤt', meaning 'small hair'. The word began to be used in the late 19th century as microbiologists began to identify and classify bacteria based on their shapes. The first spirochetes were observed by the German bacteriologist Paul Ehrlich and later studied extensively by his contemporary, Fritz Schaudinn. In 1905, Schaudinn and his colleague, Erich Hoffmann, described the first spirochete as the causative agent of syphilis, which they named Treponema pallidum. Over time, further research revealed multiple species of spirochetes responsible for various diseases, including Borrelia, which is associated with Lyme disease. This classification has expanded our understanding of these unique microorganisms and their impact on human health.
Word Frequency Rank
This word's position of #33,923 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.
- ...
- 33920 chanter
- 33921 exhaustible
- 33922 linnet
- 33923 spirochete
- 33924 buckboard
- 33925 assertively
- 33926 pulsate
- ...