CH.1 Microbial Taxonomy

Flashcards for reviewing microbial taxonomy lecture notes.

What is the purpose of taxonomy?

To classify, name, and identify organisms with worldwide consistency.

What are the main components of taxonomy?

Classification, identification, and nomenclature.

What are the different approaches to taxonomy?

Advanced genotypic analysis (NGS, rRNA, genomic sequences, epigenetic properties), phenotypic (morphological or biochemical), and chemotaxonomic (mass spectrometry, fatty acid analysis, cell wall composition).

What are the genotypic characteristics used in microbial taxonomy?

DNA base composition ratio, nucleic acid base sequence characteristics, average nucleotide identity (ANI), and genome-to-genome distance (GGD).

What are the phenotypic characteristics used in microbial taxonomy?

Macroscopic morphology, microscopic morphology, staining characteristics, environmental requirements, nutritional requirements, resistance profiles, antigenic properties, subcellular properties, and chemotaxonomic properties.

What is Genome-to-Genome Distance (GGD)?

A computerized calculation for genome comparison.

What are the international organizations involved in classification?

International Committee for the Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP) and The International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP).

What is the hierarchical organization of taxa?

Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

What is a Family in the context of microbial taxonomy?

A group of bacteria with a common attribute; family names end in -aceae (e.g., Streptococcaceae).

What is a Genus?

Contains different but similar species, sharing genetic and phenotypic characteristics.

What is a Species?

The most basic taxonomic unit; a collection of strains sharing physiologic and genetic features.

What are the two parts of binomial nomenclature?

Genus and species.

What are the rules for binomial nomenclature?

First letter of the genus is capitalized, species name is lowercase; both are italicized or underlined.

What is microbial identification?

A process by which key features of a microorganism are precisely described so the organism can be classified into an appropriate genus and species

What are genotypic characteristics?

An organism's genetic makeup.

What are phenotypic characteristics?

Observable characteristics beyond the genetic level.

How is microbial identification performed in diagnostic microbiology?

Using key features for testing, rather than extensive testing for classification.