mycoplasma

my·co·plas·ma  (mk-plzm)

n.

Any of numerous parasitic, pathogenic microorganisms of the genus Mycoplasma that lack a true cell wall, are gram-negative, and need sterols such as cholesterol for growth. In humans, one species is a primary cause of nonbacterial pneumonia. Also called pleuropneumonia-like organism.

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myco·plasmal adj.

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mycoplasma  (mk-plzm)

Any of a phylum of extremely small, parasitic bacteria that have a flexible cell membrane instead of a rigid cell wall, can assume a variety of shapes, and are capable of forming colonies. Too small to be seen with a light microscope, mycoplasmas are thought to be the smallest organisms capable of independent growth. They cause a number of important plant diseases, notably among citrus fruits. Mycoplasmas of the genus Mycoplasma are dependent upon sterols such as cholesterol for growth and cause several types of pneumonia in humans and animals. See also phytoplasma.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

mycoplasma - any of a group of small parasitic bacteria that lack cell walls and can survive without oxygen; can cause pneumonia and urinary tract infection eubacteria, eubacterium, true bacteria - a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagella genus Mycoplasma - type and sole genus of the family Mycoplasmataceae pleuropneumonialike organism, PPLO - a mycoplasma resistant to antibiotics that causes a kind of pneumonia in humans