What are Mycoplasmas?

Mycoplasmas are a unique group of microorganisms characterized as bacteria that lack a cell wall. This absence of a cell wall is significant because it differentiates them from most other bacteria, which possess rigid cell walls. As a result, Mycoplasmas have a more flexible structure and can adopt a variety of shapes, making them distinct in the bacterial world. This trait also contributes to their resistance to certain antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis, such as penicillins.

In terms of pathogenicity, some Mycoplasmas are known to cause diseases in humans and animals, including respiratory infections. Their small size and ability to reside in host organisms without a protective cell wall allow them to evade some of the host's immune responses, which underlines their role in infection. Understanding Mycoplasmas is important in fields like medicine and microbiology, where they are studied for their unique characteristics and health implications.