MORPHOLOGY (97)

A morphology trait in which the cell surface is coated by a crystalline, two-dimensional array of self-assembling proteinaceous (glyco)protein subunits (a surface layer), found in many bacteria and most archaea.

A morphology trait in which a filamentous cyanobacterium differentiates enlarged, thick-coated, spore-like dormant cells called akinetes that can germinate into vegetative cells.

A flagellar arrangement with flagella (single filaments or tufts) at both poles of the cell.

A motility where the flagellum filament of an organism is located in the periplasm and does not extend past the cell envelope.

A cell shape characterized by an elongated, rod cylindrical morphology with relatively parallel sides and rounded ends.

A pigmentation phenotype in which microbial colonies or cells appear black or very dark due to accumulation of dark pigments such as melanins.

A cell shape in which an organism forms lateral branches from filamentous or hyphal cells.

A pigmentation phenotype in which microbial colonies or cells appear brown due to accumulation of brown pigments such as pyomelanin or other melanins.

A morphology trait in which the cell is surrounded by a well-organized layer of polysaccharide (or rarely polypeptide) external to the cell envelope, mediating adhesion, desiccation resistance, and immune evasion.

A bacterial microcompartment — a polyhedral protein-shelled organelle that encapsulates RuBisCO and carbonic anhydrase to concentrate CO2 for carbon fixation in cyanobacteria and many chemoautotrophs.

A pigmentation phenotype caused by microbial production and accumulation of carotenoid pigments.

A phenotype that inheres in a cell by virtue of its longer dimension when viewed on a plane.

A cell-length phenotype in which the longer cell dimension exceeds approximately 3 micrometers.

A cell-length phenotype in which the longer cell dimension lies approximately between 2 and 3 micrometers.

A cell-length phenotype in which the longer cell dimension lies approximately between 1.3 and 2 micrometers.

A cell-length phenotype in which the longer cell dimension is at most approximately 1.3 micrometers.

A phenotype that describes the characteristic three-dimensional morphological form of a microbial cell, determined by cell wall structure, cytoskeletal elements, and environmental factors.

A phenotype that inheres in a cell by virtue of its shorter dimension when viewed on a plane.

A cell-width phenotype in which the shorter cell dimension exceeds approximately 0.9 micrometers.

A cell-width phenotype in which the shorter cell dimension lies approximately between 0.65 and 0.9 micrometers.

A cell-width phenotype in which the shorter cell dimension lies approximately between 0.5 and 0.65 micrometers.

A cell-width phenotype in which the shorter cell dimension is at most approximately 0.5 micrometers.

A cell shape intermediate between spherical cocci and elongated bacilli, typically appearing as short or plump rods.

A cell shape in which an organism has a spherical or nearly spherical morphology, with roughly equal dimensions in all directions.

A pigmentation phenotype in which colony or cell coloration is a pale, off-white or cream hue, typically reflecting low-density carotenoid or other light-absorbing pigments.

A cell shape in which an organism has a curved crescent-like morphology with a concave inner side and a convex outer side.

A cell shape in which an organism has a bent or curved cell body rather than a straight rod or sphere.

A cell shape in which spherical cells remain attached in pairs following cell division, forming characteristic doublets.

A cell shape in which an organism is flat and circular.

A cell shape in which an organism consists of two rounded cell bodies connected by a narrower central isthmus, often resulting from incomplete or snapping cell division.

A cell shape in which an organism has an oval or ellipse morphology, elongated along one axis with rounded ends, intermediate between spherical and rod-shaped.

A morphology trait in which a bacterial cell forms membrane-bound ferrosome organelles that store intracellular iron as non-crystalline iron phosphate biomineral.

A cell shape in which an organism grows as elongated filamentous cells or hypha-like structures.

A morphology trait describing the number and spatial distribution of flagella on a cell (the flagellation pattern), e.g. monotrichous, lophotrichous, amphitrichous, or peritrichous.

A motile in which an organism possesses flagella for locomotion.

A cell shape in which an organism has a bulbous body with a narrower neck-like extension at one pole.

A cell shape that is wide in the middle and tapers at both ends.

An intracellular gas-filled proteinaceous inclusion that provides buoyancy, allowing planktonic bacteria and archaea to position themselves in the water column.

A motile in which an organism moves smoothly along solid surfaces without flagella or pili.

A gram stain in which bacteria do not retain crystal violet dye and appear pink or red after staining, indicating a thin peptidoglycan layer and presence of an outer membrane.

A gram stain in which an organism retains crystal violet dye and appears purple under microscopy due to a thick peptidoglycan cell wall.

A phenotype where microorganisms are grouped based on their ability to retain crystal violet dye in the Gram staining procedure.

A gram stain in which bacteria from the same culture show both gram-positive and gram-negative staining characteristics, often due to age of culture or cell wall degradation.

A pigmentation phenotype in which microbial colonies or cultures appear green or blue-green due to pigments such as pyocyanin and pyoverdine.

A cell shape in which an organism has a corkscrew-like helical cell body with curvature and twist along its long axis.

A morphology trait in which a filamentous cyanobacterium differentiates specialized, thick-walled cells (heterocysts) that create a microoxic interior for oxygen-sensitive nitrogen fixation.

A morphology trait in which a bacterial cell produces a localized polar adhesive matrix called a holdfast that mediates permanent attachment to surfaces.

A morphological phenotype in which a filamentous cyanobacterium differentiates short, initially heterocyst-free filaments called hormogonia that are distinct from mature vegetative trichomes.

A morphology trait describing a discrete intracellular body — a storage granule, gas-filled structure, or protein-bounded microcompartment/organelle — that compartmentalizes material or function within a prokaryotic cell.

A cell shape lacking a consistent geometric form across individual cells of a population.

A motility phenotype in which flagella emerge from the lateral side of the cell.

A flagellar arrangement with a tuft of multiple flagella at one pole of the cell.

A membrane-bounded intracellular organelle containing a magnetic iron-mineral crystal (magnetite or greigite); chains of magnetosomes allow magnetotactic bacteria to align with and navigate along geomagnetic field lines.

A flagellar arrangement with a single flagellum, typically located at one pole of the cell.

A motility in which an organism has the ability to move independently using metabolic energy.

A phenotype in which an organism has the capability to move independently through its environment, typically by means of flagella, pili, gliding mechanisms, or other locomotory structures.

A morphology trait in which a bacterium grows as branching, filamentous hyphae that form a mycelium, often with subsequent differentiation into aerial hyphae and spores, as in Streptomyces.

A motility in which an organism lacks the ability to move independently under its own power.

A sporulation in which an organism lacks the ability to produce endospores.

A pigmentation phenotype in which microbial colonies or cells appear orange due to production and accumulation of orange pigments such as carotenoids.

A cell shape characterized by an ellipsoidal morphology with rounded ends, resembling an elongated sphere.

A cell shape in which an organism has an oval morphology, rounded at both ends with one end often slightly broader than the other.

A flagellar arrangement with flagella distributed over the entire cell surface rather than localized to the poles.

A phenotype characterized by the color of pigments produced by a microorganism.

A pigmentation phenotype in which microbial colonies or cells appear pink due to accumulation of pink or rose carotenoid pigments.

A cell shape characterized by variable and irregular morphology, where individual cells within a population exhibit multiple distinct shapes.

A motility phenotype in which one or more flagella are located at one or both poles of the cell.

An intracellular storage inclusion composed of polyhydroxyalkanoate (e.g. polyhydroxybutyrate, PHB), a carbon and energy reserve accumulated as cytoplasmic granules.

An intracellular storage inclusion of inorganic polyphosphate (a polymer of many phosphate residues), historically called a volutin or metachromatic granule, serving as a phosphate and energy reserve.

A flagellar arrangement in which multiple flagella (typically a tuft) are present per cell, often combined with polar attachment.

A morphology trait in which the cell bears one or more prosthecae — tubular extensions of the cell envelope (stalks) — that increase nutrient-uptake surface area or mediate attachment, as in Caulobacter.

A pigmentation phenotype in which microbial colonies or cells appear red due to production of red pigments such as prodiginines or carotenoids.

A cell shape in which an organism forms circular or toroidal structures.

A cell shape in which an organism has an elongated, cylindrical morphology with relatively straight sides and rounded or flat ends.

A cell arrangement in which cocci divide in three perpendicular planes and remain attached as cubic packets of eight (sarcinae).

A cell shape in which an organism has a spherical or nearly spherical morphology with roughly equal dimensions in all directions.

A cell shape that is widest at the middle and tapers symmetrically toward pointed poles.

A cell shape in which an organism has a spiral or helically curved morphology rather than a straight rod or sphere.

A cell shape in which an organism has an elongated, tightly coiled helical morphology with periplasmic flagella (endoflagella) located between the cell wall and outer membrane.

A sporulation in which an organism has the ability to produce endospores.

A cell shape in which an organism or differentiated cell has an endospore-like morphology, reflecting a dormant spore body with specialized protective layers.

A phenotype that is relating to an organism's ability to form dormant, stress-resistant endospores.

A cell shape in which an organism forms flat, square or rectangular cells.

A cell arrangement in which dividing cocci form irregular three-dimensional grape-like clusters because division planes occur in multiple, non-orthogonal orientations and daughter cells remain attached.

A cell shape in which an organism has multiple radiating projections from a central body.

A cell arrangement in which dividing cocci remain attached in chains because successive division planes are parallel and daughter cells do not fully separate.

A motility phenotype in which flagella are located near but not at the cell pole.

An intracellular (or periplasmic) inclusion of elemental sulfur formed as an intermediate during the oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds, characteristic of many sulfur-oxidizing and phototrophic sulfur bacteria.

A flagella-dependent, multicellular surface motility in which cells move rapidly and coordinately across a surface, typically accompanied by hyperflagellation and secretion of a wetting surfactant.

A cell shape in which an organism has an elongated polar appendage or stalk extending from the cell body.

A cell arrangement in which cocci divide in two perpendicular planes and remain attached as groups of four (tetrads).

A cell shape in which an organism forms flat, triangular or wedge-shaped cells.

A flagella-independent surface motility driven by the extension, attachment, and retraction of type IV pili, producing intermittent, jerky translocation of cells across moist surfaces.

A morphology trait in which a cell produces extracellular type-IV-pilin filaments that dynamically extend from and retract toward the cell surface.

A cell shape in which an organism has a curved rod or comma morphology, characterized by a short curved cylindrical form with a single arc.

A pigmentation phenotype in which microbial colonies or cells appear white or nonpigmented because visible chromophore accumulation is absent or low.

A pigmentation phenotype in which microbial colonies or cells appear yellow due to production of yellow pigments such as carotenoids.