Texas A&M University (TAMU) BIOL206 Introductory Microbiology Lab Practice Exam 1

The term "strepto-" refers to a specific arrangement of bacterial cells that form chains. This arrangement occurs when bacteria divide along a single plane but do not separate completely after cell division, leading to a linear formation of cells. This characteristic is commonly observed in certain genera, such as Streptococcus, where the bacteria are connected in a chain-like fashion.

In contrast, the other arrangements described do not fit the definition of "strepto-". Pairs of cells are described as "diplo-", clusters of cells are often referred to as "staphylo-", and single cells do not have a specific prefix related to their arrangement. Understanding these terms helps in identifying bacterial morphology and can play an important role in determining the characteristics and behaviors of different bacterial species in microbiological studies.