Spirochete (Noun)
Meaning
Parasitic or free-living bacteria; many pathogenic to humans and other animals.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The spirochete borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease in humans.
- Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium of the genus Borrelia, which is a type of spirochete.
- Spirochetes, such as those that cause syphilis and Lyme disease, have a unique helical shape.
- The spirochete Leptospira is commonly found in freshwater environments and can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated water.
- Free-living spirochetes, such as those found in hot springs, can be beneficial to the environment by participating in nutrient cycling.