ABSTRACT
Mycoplasmas (class Mollicutes) are the self-replicating, smallest free-living bacteria in terms of both cellular dimensions and genome size that are capable of a cell-free existence.1 They are unique among bacteria because they differ from the other common bacteria having their minute size, lack of cell wall, and ability to pass through Šlters with pore sizes that retain other bacteria and that were earlier thought to be viruses.2,3 But their difference from viruses was realized by Šnding both RNA and DNA in them and their ability to grow in cell-free media (Table 41.1).
