Mycoplasma

[mahy-koh-plaz-muh] /ˌmaɪ koʊˈplæz mə/

noun
1.
any of numerous parasitic microorganisms of the class Mollicutes, comprising the smallest self-reproducing prokaryotes, lacking a true cell wall and able to survive without oxygen: a common cause of pneumonia and urinary tract infections.
/ˌmaɪkəʊˈplæzmə/
noun
1.
any prokaryotic microorganism of the genus Mycoplasma, some species of which cause disease (mycoplasmosis) in animals and humans

mycoplasma my·co·plas·ma (mī’kō-plāz’mə)
n. pl. my·co·plas·mas or my·co·plas·ma·ta (-mə-tə)
A microorganism of the genus Mycoplasma. Also called pleuropneumonia-like organism.
my’co·plas’mal adj.

Mycoplasma n.
A genus of nonmotile parasitic pathogenic microorganisms whose members lack a true cell wall, are gram-negative, and require sterols such as cholesterol for growth.
mycoplasma
(mī’kō-plāz’mə)
Any of a phylum of extremely small, parasitic bacteria that have a flexible cell membrane instead of a rigid cell wall, can assume a variety of shapes, and are capable of forming colonies. Too small to be seen with a light microscope, mycoplasmas are thought to be the smallest organisms capable of independent growth. They cause a number of important plant diseases, notably among citrus fruits. Mycoplasmas of the genus Mycoplasma are dependent upon sterols such as cholesterol for growth and cause several types of pneumonia in humans and animals. See also phytoplasma.