![Gram-positive cocci in chains gram-positive cocci in chains](streptococcus agalactiae 014.jpg)
The outstanding morphologic characteristic of streptococci is their tendency to grow in chains. Because the individual cocci divide into pairs, a diplococcoid appearance of the members of a chain is often quite striking (see here). Group B streptococci (S.agalactiae) produce short chains of Gram-positive cocci in liquid cultivation media. Magnification ×1000.