Bacteria in the phylum ________ occur as elementary or reticulate bodies depending on their life cycle stage, are obligate intracellular parasites, and also have relatively small genomes.
A) Bacteroidetes
B) Chlamydiae
C) Planctomycetes
D) Rickettsia

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Chlamydiae bacteria have a unique life cycle in which they alternate between two distinct forms: elementary bodies, which are the infectious stage, and reticulate bodies, which are the replicating stage. They are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they cannot replicate outside of a host cell. Chlamydiae also have relatively small genomes compared to other bacteria, with many of their metabolic pathways being lost or highly reduced due to their intracellular lifestyle.

Bacteria in the Phylum ________ Occur as Elementary or Reticulate