Neisseria Meningitidis is a bacteria that is best known for its role in endemic bacterial meningitis.  N. Meningitidis is described as a gram-negative diplococci.  The fact that this bacteria is gram negative means that there is very little or no peptidoglycan in the cell wall.  The word diplococci is describing the appearance of N. Meningitidis.  This means that two of the spherically shaped bacteria push up against each other.  The side where they meet up becomes flat so each individual will look slightly oblong.  The picture to the right shows the shape of the bacteria.

Neisseria Meningitidis is non motile and is transferred among people via direct contact with bodily fluids in which the bacteria has inhabited.  This bacteria has also been found to be oxidase positive which means it contains the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase and is capable of using oxygen for energy via an electron transfer chain.  Since N. Meningitidis is oxidase positive it means it is aerobic. 


The fact that N. Meningitidis is known for its role in bacterial meningitis it is known as a pathogen.  This bacteria lives in the mucous membranes of humans as a parasite.  It has been responsible for many epidemics across the world and there have been many deaths associated with these epidemics. 

This is a photo of N. Meningitidis grown on an agar plate in a laboratory setting.

   


Would you like to learn more about Neisseria Meningitidis?!?! Check out its Classification and Lineage!         


                                                        

                                                        multipleorganisms.net