What is the shape of bacilli?

Bacilli are bacteria that are characterized by their rod-shaped appearance. This distinctive shape is one of the key morphological classifications of bacteria, which helps in identifying them under a microscope and understanding their biological functions. The rod shape allows for a specific arrangement of cellular components that is different from other shapes like cocci (spherical) or spirilla (spiral). Bacilli can appear as single cells, in chains, or in clusters depending on how they divide, but their fundamental rod-like shape remains consistent across the different types of bacilli. This is why the correct answer identifies the shape of bacilli accurately as being rod-shaped.