Acholeplasmatales

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Acholeplasmatales
Kingdom:
Phylum:	Tenericutes
Class:	Mollicutes
Order:	Acholeplasmatales
Family:	'

Acholeplasmatales is an order of bacteria within the class Mollicutes. These bacteria are characterized by their lack of a cell wall, which is a distinctive feature of the Mollicutes class. Members of the Acholeplasmatales are known for their small genome sizes and their ability to thrive in a variety of environments, including plant and animal hosts.

Characteristics

Acholeplasmatales are unique among bacteria due to their lack of a rigid cell wall, which makes them pleomorphic and resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis, such as penicillin. Instead, they have a flexible cell membrane that allows them to change shape. This feature is shared with other members of the Mollicutes, such as the Mycoplasmatales.

The order Acholeplasmatales is distinguished from other Mollicutes by its ability to grow in the absence of sterols, which are typically required by other wall-less bacteria for membrane stability. This ability allows Acholeplasmatales to inhabit a wider range of environments.

Taxonomy

The order Acholeplasmatales includes the following families:

• Acholeplasmataceae
• Anaeroplasmataceae

The family Acholeplasmataceae includes the genus Acholeplasma, which is the type genus of the order. Acholeplasma species are often found in association with plants and animals, where they can be either commensal or pathogenic.

Ecology and Pathogenicity

Acholeplasmatales are found in a variety of environments, including soil, plants, and animals. Some species are known to be pathogenic to plants, causing diseases that can affect agricultural productivity. For example, Acholeplasma laidlawii is a well-studied species that can contaminate cell cultures and affect experimental outcomes in research settings.

In animals, Acholeplasmatales can be part of the normal flora or can cause disease under certain conditions. They are often isolated from the respiratory and urogenital tracts of mammals.

Research and Applications

Research on Acholeplasmatales has provided insights into the evolution of minimal genomes and the adaptation of bacteria to diverse environments. Their lack of a cell wall and small genome size make them a model for studying basic biological processes and the evolution of parasitism.

Also see

• Mollicutes
• Mycoplasmatales
• Bacterial taxonomy
• Cell wall