Here's a breakdown:
* Coccus: The singular form, indicating one spherical bacterium.
* Cocci: The plural form, indicating multiple spherical bacteria.
Examples:
* Staphylococcus: A genus of bacteria that forms clusters of spherical cells.
* Streptococcus: A genus of bacteria that forms chains of spherical cells.
* Diplococcus: A genus of bacteria where two spherical cells are arranged in pairs.
So, the "-coccus" suffix tells us the bacteria have a particular shape, regardless of their specific species or characteristics.