Cocci bacteria are generally round, oval or spherical in shape¹. They can grow in pairs, chains, or clusters, depending on their orientation and attachment during cell division¹.

Based on the arrangement of cocci cells, they can be further divided into:

• Streptococci – cocci arranged in chains
• Diplococci – cocci arranged in pairs
• Monococci – single cocci
• Staphylococci – clusters of cocci
• Tetrads – cocci in groups of four
• Sarcina – cocci in groups of eight².

In contrast to many bacilli-shaped bacteria, most cocci bacteria do not have flagella and are non-motile¹.

(1) Coccus – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccus.
(2) Cocci Bacteria – Types and Diseases – BYJU’S. https://byjus.com/biology/cocci-bacteria/.
(3) Coccobacilli: Conditions, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment – Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/coccobacilli.