South Carolina Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Streptococci are categorized as pus-forming organisms that typically grow in chains. This means that they are a type of bacteria that can lead to various infections, including those that produce pus, such as strep throat or skin infections. Their chain-like arrangement is a key characteristic that helps differentiate them from other types of bacteria that may cluster or appear as single units.

The other options present different types of microorganisms. Non-pathogenic bacteria that aid digestion do not fall into the Streptococci category, as they are generally beneficial rather than harmful. Viruses are distinct from bacteria and operate differently; they cannot be characterized as Streptococci because they lack the structure and replication methods of bacteria. Lastly, while some fungi can lead to skin infections, this does not apply to Streptococci, which are strictly bacterial in nature. Therefore, recognizing Streptococci as pus-forming organisms that grow in chains is essential for understanding their role in infections and their biological classification.