Classifying Microbes

Question 1

Taxonomy

Answer 1

A field of science that deals with 3 separate but related areas

Question 2

Classification

Answer 2

The process of arranging organisms into groups (or taxa)

Question 3

Nomenclature

Answer 3

The assignment of names to various taxa

Question 4

Identification

Answer 4

The process of determining whether organism belong within one of the established taxa, or should be assigned to a new taxa

Question 5

Binomial system

Answer 5

Each organism is given two names
First name = Genus
Second name = Specific epithet
Together = Species

Question 6

Classification of bacteria steps

Answer 6

Nomenclature
Shape
Cell wall composition
Morphology
Mortile or non
Pathogenic or non
Sensitivity or resistance to antibiotics or chemicals
Lactose or no lactose fermenting
Oxygen requirements

Question 7

Shapes of bacteria

Answer 7

Spherical (cocci)
Rod (Bacilli)
Spiral (Spirilla)

Question 8

Cell wall compositions and how this is identified

Answer 8

Gram positive
Gram negative
blue/purple dye = gram positive
Red/pink = gram negative
For mycobacterium cell wall has waxes - use acid-fast strain (appears as red)

Question 9

Morphology

Answer 9

Rapid division (binary fission) produces a mound of bacteria (colony) that can be seen by the naked eye
Features include:
Size
Colour
Overal Shape
Elevation
Margin

Question 10

Motile vs non

Answer 10

Possess flagella and are able to move vs no flagella

Question 11

Types of oxygen requirements

Answer 11

Obligate aerobes
Obligate anaerobes
Microaerophiles
Aerotolerant anaerobes
Facultative anaerobes

Question 12

Obligate aerobes

Answer 12

Bacteria that have an absolute requirement for an atmosphere with around 20% oxygen (room air)

Question 13

Obligate anaerobes

Answer 13

Bacteria that can only grow in an anaerobic environment(no oxygen)

Question 14

Microaerophiles

Answer 14

Bacteria that also have an absolute requirement for an oxygen containing atmosphere but require a lot less (around 5%)

Question 15

Aerotolerant anaerobes

Answer 15

Bacteria that can grow in an atmosphere with oxygen, but they grow better in atmospheres with no oxygen

Question 16

Facultative anaerobes

Answer 16

Bacteria that are capable fo surviving in atmospheres that either contain or do not contain oxygen (tolerate 0%-20% oxygen levels)

Question 17

Rickettsia and chlamydia unique features

Answer 17

Both gram negative

Both obligate intracellular pathogen (must live within host)

Question 18

Mycoplasmas unique features

Answer 18

Smallest cellular microbes
Do not possess a cell wall
Can take on different shapes
resistant to antibiotics e.g mycoplasma pneumonia