- Micrococcaceae
- A family of bacteria (order Eubacteriales) containing Gram-positive spherical cells which occur singly or in pairs, tetrads, packets, irregular masses, or even chains. Rarely are these organisms motile. Free-living, saprophytic, parasitic, and pathogenic species occur. The type genus is Micrococcus.
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Mi·cro·coc·ca·ce·ae -kə-'kā-sē-ē, -kä-'kā- n pl a family of heterotrophic spherical or elliptical gram-positive usu. nonmotile bacteria that usu. lack endospores, divide in two or three planes forming pairs, tetrads, or masses of cells, are aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, and produce yellow, orange, or red pigment and that include pathogenic toxin-producing forms (as Staphylococcus aureus) as well as numerous harmless commensals and saprophytes* * *
Mi·cro·coc·ca·ceae (mi″kro-kə-kaґse-e) a family of gram-positive, aerobic or facultatively anaerobic bacteria of the suborder Micrococcineae, order Actinomycetales, consisting of spherical cells that divide primarily in two or three planes, which sometimes remain in contact after division to form clusters or packets. Genera of medical interest include Arthrobacter, Micrococcus, and Rothia.
Medical dictionary. 2011.