Watercolour and ink on paper illustration of a cross section through a mycoplasma cell, showing all the macromolecules found inside. Lipoglycans (green wavy lines; long carbohydrate chains connected to lipids in the membrane) extend out from the cell membrane (light green) and form a protective coat around the cell. Many transport proteins (green) are embedded in the cell membrane. Inside, DNA (yellow; string like structures), the machinery of replication and transcription (orange), ribosomes (purple) and other enzymes (blue) can be seen. The diameter of the cell is approximately 300 nanometres to the outer edge of the membrane, which is at the small end of the range of observed sizes.
Mycoplasma are bacteria which lack cell walls. Mycoplasma mycoides mycoides small colony type is the cause of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), a severe infectious disease which primarily affects the lungs in cattle and goats. The UK, USA and Australia have eradicated the disease but outbreaks can occur in areas where the disease still exists.
