Although bacteria come in a variety of shapes and sizes, you are responsible for knowing the basic three:
Cocci are circle or spherical shaped bacteria, resistant to drying out due to their shape.
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The spiral shaped bacteria, spirilla, is the least common shape for bacteria. Spirilla move in a corkscrew motion using flagella at both ends.
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The rod or oval shaped bacteria, bacilli, have a large surface area, helping them absorb nutrients. The large surface area causes them to dry out easily.
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