Coffee Mug - Streptococcus (pastel on black)

Streptococcus is a genus of coccus (spherical) Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the order Lactobacillales (lactic acid bacteria). Cell division in this genus occurs along a single axis in these bacteria, thus they grow in chains or pairs, hence the name—from Greek στρεπτός streptos, meaning easily bent or twisted, like a chain (twisted chain). (Contrast this with staphylococci, which divide along multiple axes and generate grape-like clusters of cells.) Most are oxidase-negative and catalyses-negative, and many are facultative anaerobes. In 1984, many bacteria formerly considered Streptococcus were separated out into the genera Enterococcus and Lactococcus. Currently, over 50 species are recognized in this genus. Enjoy the mug on your desk and let someone ask what you are drinking from... Bet no one uses your cup again! Enjoy.