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FirmicutesRANK: PhylumTAXONOMY: cellular organisms -> Bacteria -> Terrabacteria group -> Firmicutes OVERVIEW: The 'Firmicutes' (Latin: firmus, strong, and cutis, skin, referring to the cell wall) are a phylum of bacteria, most of which have Gram-positive cell wall structure. A few, however, such as Megasphaera, Pectinatus, Selenomonas and Zymophilus, have a porous pseudo-outer-membrane that causes them to stain Gram-negative. Scientists once classified the Firmicutes to include all Gram-positive bacteria, but have recently defined them to be of a core group of related forms called the low-G+C group, in contrast to the Actinobacteria. They have round cells, called cocci (singular coccus), or rod- like forms (bacillus). Many Firmicutes produce endospores, which are resistant to desiccation and can survive extreme conditions. They are found in various environments, and the group includes some notable pathogens. Those in one family, the heliobacteria, produce energy through photosynthesis. Firmicutes play an important role in beer, wine, and cider spoilage. Weight loss resulting from a low-energy diet is accompanied by a shift in gut microbiota composition to resemble that of lean individuals with a decrease in Firmicutes and an increase in Bacteroidetes.
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