Which bacteria, that grows in a spiral shape, can cause diseases like syphilis, cholera, and Lyme disease?

The correct answer is given as spirilla, which refers to a genus of bacteria that are indeed characterized by their spiral shape. This shape allows them to move in a corkscrew motion, which can be beneficial for their motility in various environments.

Spirilla are known to be pathogenic in some cases, leading to diseases such as syphilis, which is caused by Treponema pallidum, and certain types of cholera, associated with Vibrio cholerae. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, another spiral-shaped bacterium. The spiral shape plays a significant role in how these bacteria are transmitted and their ability to invade host tissues.

While cocci refers to spherical bacteria, bacillus describes rod-shaped bacteria, and spirillum is often used interchangeably with spirilla but typically refers to a specific type or genus of spiral bacteria. In a broader sense, spirilla encompasses more than just the specific genus of spirillum, which is why spirilla is the most appropriate term for describing the group that includes various pathogenic spiral-shaped bacteria.