Question

Which of the following cocci appear as a bunch of grapes under the microscope?
(a)Streptococci
(b)Diplococci
(c)Staphylococci
(d)Pneumococci

Answer 1

Hint: The term cocci means spherical shaped bacteria. Spherical shaped bacteria can exist in many different associations. They can remain single as in Monococcus or in a straight line or like a bunch of grapes.

Complete answer:
The term Staphy is used for something that looks like a bunch of grapes and cocci means spherical shaped bacteria. So, Staphylococci is the bacteria that appears like a bunch of grapes. Staphylococci is a gram-positive bacteria responsible for causing mild skin infections in our body, normally infecting open cuts, pimples, etc. But most of the species of Staphylococcus are harmless and exist on our skin without causing any damage. They are facultative anaerobic organisms which means that they are aerobic but can survive even when the conditions become anaerobic.

Additional Information: Streptococci: Strepto word is used when bacteria are arranged in the form of a straight chain. Streptococci is responsible for causing infection in our ear and sinuses.
Diplococci: Diplococci is when two spherical shaped bacteria are present together. Neisseria gonorrhoeae which causes gonorrhea in humans is a Diplococcus bacteria.
Pneumococci: Pneumococcus pneumoniae causes respiratory tract infections in humans like pneumonia.
So, the correct answer is ‘Staphylococci.’

Note:
 -The first bacteria to be discovered was a rod-shaped bacteria thus the name bacillus.
-The term bacteria was given by Ehrenberg.
-Tetracoccus means the spherical bacteria are arranged in the shape of a tetrad. Sarcina means in the shape of a cube.