Module 1: Introduction to Clinical Microbiology Flashcards
Define taxonomy
Science of classification
Define classification
Arrangement of organisms into taxonomic groups based on similarities
Define nomenclature
Assignment of names
Define identification
Determining which group a new isolate belongs to
Give characteristics of eukaryotic microorganisms
Organized nucleus with several chromosomes
Nucleus has nuclear membrane
Give characteristics of prokaryotic microorganisms
Lack organized nucleus
No nuclear membrane
Single circular chromosome
Are bacteria prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
Prokaryotic
Are fungi prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
Eukaryotic
What were the 2 original kingdom names? Where were bacteria placed?
Animalia and plantae
Bacteria were plantae
What was the 3rd kingdom to be added? What was it for?
Protista
For all microorganisms
Why was a 4th kingdom created? What is it called? What’s in it?
To separate prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms
Procaryotae - prokaryotic microorganisms (all bacteria)
What are the 8 taxonomic groups from largest to smallest?
Kingdom Division/Phylum Class Order Family Tribe Genus Species
Define species
Cells with similar characteristics
Indistinguishable from each other, but not from other species
What is a type strain?
One strain of the species
Reference specimen for that name
What does a species consist of?
Type strain and all strains similar enough to be included
What is a subspecies?
Taxonomic subgroup smaller than species
Minor but consistent differences from the type species
What is a biotype/biovar?
Type of subspecies distinguished by biochemical or physiological properties that differ from the type strain
What is a serotype/serovar?
Type of subspecies distinguished by distinctive antigenic or serological properties that differ from the type strain
What is the key system of identification? What is heavily weighted?
Classification where all bacterial characteristics were identified and weighted
Shape and gram reactions are heavily weighted
What is the problem with the key system?
Bacteria were placed into genera but were genetically unrelated species
What are the 4 nitrogenous bases of DNA?
Cytosine, adenine, guanine, and thymine
Which nitrogenous bases will bacteria of the same species have the same content of? ex: 30%
G+C bases
Will two bacterias with the same G+C content be identical?
No, the sequence may be different
What might nucleic acid hybridization be used for?
Single stranded DNA will hybridize with another single strand of DNA if the organisms are the same
What in nucleic acid hybridization determines the similarity of two organisms?
The degree of hybridization
What is included in numerical taxonomy? How are these things weighted?
Large number of characteristics
Morphology, biochemical properties, G+C content, etc
Each weighted equally
What is the suffix used in the family taxonomic group?
-aceae
Which of the following would represent a family in bacterial classification?
a. Bacillus
b. Bacilleae
c. Bacillales
d. Bacillaceae
d. Bacillaceae
A prokaryotic cell differs from a eukaryotic cell in the the prokaryotic cell lacks:
a. plasma membrane
b. nuclear membrane
c. cell wall
d. ribosomes
b. nuclear membrane
Groups of strains of bacteria within a species that differ by specific biochemical properties are designated by the term:
a. pathovar
b. biovar
c. serovar
d. type strain
b. biovar
On the basis of usual endings, which of the following would not be a genus?
a. Staphylococci
b. Steptococcus
c. Shigella
d. Clostridium
a. Staphylococci
Which example is in order from largest to smallest?
a. family, class, tribe, genus
b. division, class, order, family
c. species, genus, family, order
d. kingdom, family, class, species
b. division, class, order, family
King David Came Over For The Good Spaghetti
The kindgom used for classification of bacteria in Bergey’s Manual is:
a. Plantae
b. Protista
c. Procaryotae
d. Animalia
c. Procaryotae
A system that attempts to classify on the basis of percentage of guanine and cytosine present is:
a. key system
b. uses numerical taxonomy
c. determines nucleic acid composition
d. uses nucleic acid hybridization techniques
c. determines nucleic acid composition
