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A bacterium's shape can give the bacterium some advantages. For example, spiral bacteria can move through fluids more easily than can cocci or bacilli bacteria. Furthermore, bacteria can be classified by their growth characteristic patterns (Groupings). The prefix diplo-denotes cells arranged in pairs. The prefix staphylo-describes bacteria arranged in clusters like grapes. The prefix strepto-denotes bacteria arranged in a chain.
Arrangement of Cells. Different species of cocci and bacilli also arrange themselves into groups characteristic to the specific bacteria. A bacteria that lives as one cell all alone is called a single cell. Some bacteria remain grouped together after cell division. A bacteria that lives in pairs has a diplo arrangement, with 'di-' meaning 'two.' So Diplococcus is a cocci bacteria that is found in pairs. A group of four cells forming a flat square is called a tetrad.