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Cocci are a type of bacteria that are characterized by their spherical or ovoid shape. This morphological classification is fundamental in microbiology, as the shape of bacteria can have implications for their behavior, classification, and interactions with their environment. Cocci can exist singly or in arrangements such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), or clusters (staphylococci), aiding in their identification under a microscope.

In contrast, bacilli are rod-shaped bacteria, vibrios are comma-shaped, and spirilla are spiral-shaped. Each of these shapes has distinct characteristics and is associated with different groups of bacteria, which are important for understanding their biological roles and identifying them in clinical and environmental samples.