What type of bacteria has a spiral shape and can cause syphilis?

The type of bacteria that has a spiral shape and is known to cause syphilis is classified as spirilla. These bacteria are distinguished by their unique helical form, which can range from loose spirals to more tightly coiled structures. The specific bacterium responsible for syphilis is Treponema pallidum, which falls within this category.

In contrast, cocci are spherical bacteria, bacilli are rod-shaped, and staphylococci are a specific arrangement of cocci that form clusters. Understanding these distinctions is essential in microbiology, as the shape and arrangement of bacteria can have implications for their behavior, method of reproduction, and the diseases they may cause.