What are diplococci?

Diplococci are a type of spherical bacteria that are characterized by their arrangement in pairs. This unique formation occurs during cell division when the daughter cells remain attached to each other. Diplococci are typically round and belong to a category of bacteria known as cocci, which can exist singly, in pairs, or in clusters depending on their species and environmental conditions.

This arrangement is important in microbiology and medicine because different bacterial shapes and arrangements can affect how they are identified and what diseases they may cause. For instance, some species of diplococci, such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis, are known to be pathogenic and can lead to serious infections.

The other choices reference different bacterial morphologies or characteristics that do not correctly describe diplococci. Understanding the specific definitions and arrangements of bacteria is essential for identifying and addressing various microbial threats in hygiene, sanitation, and medicine.