Classification of Microorganisms

What is the definition of Taxonomy?

The science of classifying organisms to show relationships and identify them.

What is the objective of Taxonomy?

To classify organisms, establish relationships, and provide a common reference for identifying species.

What are the three domains of life?

Eukaryotes, Bacteria (Prokaryotes), and Archaea (Prokaryotes).

Who proposed the three domains based on rRNA sequences in 1978?

Woese.

What does Domain Eukarya include?

Kingdoms of animals, plants, and fungi.

What is a unique characteristic of Domain Archaea?

Prokaryotes without peptidoglycan in cell walls; often live in extreme environments.

What are the three types of Archaea mentioned?

Methanogens, Extreme Halophiles, Hyperthermophiles.

What is Phylogeny?

The evolutionary history of organisms.

What is a Molecular Clock?

Mutation rates in genomes help track evolutionary divergence.

What is Binomial Nomenclature?

Every organism has a two-part scientific name consisting of Genus and Species.

How is the Genus written in scientific nomenclature?

Capitalized and is a noun.

How is the Species written in scientific nomenclature?

Lowercase and often an adjective.

What is the taxonomic hierarchy order?

Domain > Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Family > Genus > Species.

What defines Prokaryotic Species?

A population of cells with similar characteristics.

What kingdoms are included in the classification of Eukaryotes?

Fungi, Plantae, Animalia, and Protista.

What is a unique characteristic of viruses regarding taxonomy?

Viruses aren’t classified within the three domains.

What are morphological characteristics used for?

Structural identification of microorganisms.

What is differential staining used for?

To differentiate between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

What do biochemical tests help differentiate?

Species based on enzymatic activities.

What is serology?

The study of serum and immune responses.

What does the Slide Agglutination Test do?

Bacteria clump when mixed with specific antibodies.

What does ELISA stand for?

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.

What is phage typing used to determine?

Susceptibility to specific bacteriophages.

What does DNA fingerprinting compare?

Genetic similarities between organisms.

What are Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs)?

Techniques that amplify microbial DNA for testing.

What does FISH stand for and what does it do?

Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization; it detects microorganisms directly in samples without culturing.