Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Spirochete Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🦠
Add to dictionary

spirochete

[ˌspaɪrəˈkiːt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Health and Medicine

  • Spirochetes can cause diseases such as syphilis and Lyme disease, which affect many people globally.
  • Unlike many bacteria, spirochetes are highly mobile due to their unique structure, allowing them to move through thick environments like tissues and fluids.

Science

  • Spirochetes are known to have a unique flagellar structure, which helps them to swim in a corkscrew motion.
  • They are often observed in microscopic studies due to their distinctive shape, which sets them apart from other bacteria.

Historical Significance

  • The discovery of the spirochete that causes syphilis revolutionized the understanding of venereal diseases in the late 19th century.
  • The identification of spirochetes contributed to the development of antibiotics, changing the treatment landscape for bacterial infections.

Diversity

  • There are several types of spirochetes, including treponemes responsible for syphilis and borreliae responsible for Lyme disease.
  • Some spirochetes reside in the guts of animals and play a role in digestion, showcasing their ecological importance.

Origin of 'spirochete'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Greek words 'spira', meaning coil or spiral, and 'chētos', meaning hair, reflecting their spiral shape.
  • The term 'spirochete' was first used in the early 1900s to categorize these unique bacteria.

The term 'spirochete' is derived from the Greek words 'spira', meaning 'coil', and 'khēt', 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.