Monomorphic and pleomorphic both describe the variation in shape and size of a bacterial cell. The key difference is that monomorphic bacteria maintain a consistent shape, while pleomorphic bacteria can change shape depending on environmental conditions.
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Pleomorphic nuclei are irregularly shaped nuclei that vary in size and structure within a population of cells. This variation can be seen in cancer cells, where the nuclei may exhibit different shapes and sizes compared to normal cells. Pleomorphic nuclei are considered a feature of malignancy when observed in pathology samples.
The bacteria that can change shape call pleomorphic
When an organism is described as monomorphic, it means that all individuals within the species exhibit a similar or identical physical appearance or genetic makeup, lacking variation in certain characteristics. This can be seen in some species with limited genetic diversity.
Mycoplasmas lack a cell wall, which contributes to their pleomorphic nature. Without a rigid cell wall, they can change shape and size in order to adapt to different environmental conditions. This flexibility enables mycoplasmas to survive in a variety of host tissues and evade the host immune system.
Cells from different living things are alike in that they all contain genetic material, organelles, and a cell membrane. They are different in terms of size, shape, structure, and function based on the organism they belong to and its specific needs and adaptations.