Staphylococci form pus-forming bacteria that typically grow in which arrangement?

• A. They form spirals
• B. Staphylococci form pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters like grapes
• C. They occur singly
• D. They form chains like beads

Answer: (B)

Staphylococci divide in multiple planes and remain attached after division, so they form irregular, grape-like clusters when seen under a microscope. This clustering pattern is a hallmark of Staphylococcus species and goes along with their pus-forming (pyogenic) nature. It helps distinguish them from other cocci that arrange in chains, such as streptococci, or that appear as single cells or in spiral forms. Chains form when many cells divide in one plane and stay linked end-to-end, while spirals describe different, non-cocci bacteria.