Streptococcus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Streptococcus |
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Streptococcaceae
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Streptococcus
Rosenbach, 1884
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S. agalactiae |
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Streptococcus is a type of tiny living thing called bacteria. These bacteria are shaped like little balls or spheres. They are known as Gram-positive because of how they react to a special test used to identify bacteria.
Streptococci belong to a larger group of bacteria called Firmicutes. They are also part of the "lactic acid bacteria" group. This means they can produce lactic acid, which is important in making foods like yogurt and cheese.
Contents
What are Streptococci?
Streptococcus bacteria are unique because of how they grow. When they divide, they do so in a way that makes them form chains or pairs. Imagine tiny beads strung together! This is why they are called Streptococcus. The name comes from a Greek word, streptos, which means "easily bent or twisted, like a chain."
How They Look and Act
Unlike some other bacteria that form grape-like clusters, streptococci always grow in these chain-like patterns. This helps scientists tell them apart.
These bacteria are also special because they are "oxidase and catalase-negative." This means they do not have certain enzymes that other bacteria do. Many streptococci are also "facultative anaerobes." This is a fancy way of saying they can live and grow with or without oxygen. This makes them very adaptable!
Where Streptococci Live
Streptococci are found in many places. They live naturally in the bodies of humans and animals. You can find them in your mouth, throat, and even on your skin. Some types of streptococci are harmless and even helpful. Others can cause infections.
Different Kinds of Streptococci
There are many different species, or types, of Streptococcus. Each species has its own unique characteristics. Some are known for causing common illnesses, while others are used in food production.
- Helpful Streptococci: Some species, like Streptococcus thermophilus, are used to make yogurt and cheese. They help ferment the milk, giving these foods their special taste and texture.
- Harmful Streptococci: Other species can cause various infections. For example, Streptococcus pyogenes is known for causing strep throat. Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause pneumonia, which is a lung infection.
It's important to remember that not all bacteria are bad. Many, like some streptococci, play important roles in our bodies and in the world around us!
See also
In Spanish: Estreptococos para niños
Images for kids
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Alpha-hemolytic S. viridans (right) and beta-hemolytic S. pyogenes (left) streptococci growing on blood agar
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Phylogenetic tree of Streptococcus species, based on data from PATRIC. 16S groups are indicated by brackets and their key members are highlighted in red.
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Common and species-specific genes among Streptococcus sanguinis, S. mutans, and S. pneumoniae. Modified after Xu et al. (2007)
