What is the Difference Between Mycoplasma and Mycobacterium?

The main difference between Mycoplasma and Mycobacterium is the presence of a cell wall. Here are the key differences between the two:

• Mycoplasma: This is a genus of bacteria that lacks cell walls around their cell membranes. Mycoplasmas are generally smaller and have a variable shape due to the absence of a cell wall. Many antibiotics are not effective against Mycoplasma because of this lack of a cell wall.
• Mycobacterium: This is a genus of bacteria that possesses a thick, protective, and waxy cell wall. Mycobacteria are aerobic, slender, curved rod-shaped species that usually live in areas with high oxygen levels, such as the upper part of the lungs. The presence of a cell wall in Mycobacterium makes them more resistant to antibiotics.

Both Mycoplasma and Mycobacterium are slow-growing bacteria, which can make it difficult to culture them in the laboratory. However, they have different cell wall structures, with Mycoplasma lacking a cell wall and Mycobacterium having a thick, waxy cell wall.

Comparative Table: Mycoplasma vs Mycobacterium

The main difference between Mycoplasma and Mycobacterium is the presence of a cell wall. Mycobacterium is a genus of bacteria with a thick, protective, and waxy cell wall, while Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria without a cell wall. Here is a table summarizing their differences:

Mycoplasma and Mycobacterium are both pathogenic bacterial species. Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis, while Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes pneumonia. Both species grow slowly, which accounts for the long time it takes to observe colonies on laboratory media.