Structure+-+Lyme+Disease


 * Shape:** //Borrelia burgdorferi,//the bacteria that causes lyme disease, is a spirochetes bacteria. That means it has a flexible spiraling shape that allows it to move throughout the body. The bacteria uses flagella, extended arm like organs to help it move. Many scientists link its pathogenicity to how quickly it can move and systemically infect the body. Luckily for the people of Lyme, Connecticut, the disease does not travel fast from person to person, so the disease is not contagious. However, its fast moving structure makes it very easy to infect humans, once the disease gets into the blood through a tick.


 * Gram Status:** The bacteria in neither gram positive nor gram negative. No gram status can be put on the bacteria because it is so genetically diverse depending on where it exists.