Microorganism Taxonomy and Classification

Vocabulary flashcards covering the classification of microorganisms, including the five-kingdom system, the three domains, the Linnaean hierarchy, and specific bacterial divisions and genera based on Bergey’s Manuals.

Taxonomy

The science of the classification of organisms with the purpose of showing evolutionary relationships and providing a means of identification.

Phylogenetic classification

A classification scheme that reflects the actual ancestry (evolutionary relationships) between different organisms.

Phenetics

An alternative method of classification based solely on observable characteristics for practical identification and common language.

Kingdom Monera

One of the five kingdoms, consisting of unicellular prokaryotes such as bacteria, classified based on cellular organization.

Kingdom Protista

One of the five kingdoms, consisting of unicellular eukaryotes such as protozoa and algae, classified based on cellular organization.

Kingdom Fungi

Multicellular heterotrophs with external digestion, including yeasts, molds, and mushrooms, classified based on nutritional pattern.

Kingdom Plantae

Multicellular autotrophs (plants) classified based on their nutritional pattern.

Kingdom Animalia

Multicellular heterotrophs with internal digestion (animals) classified based on their nutritional pattern.

Domain Archaea

A domain consisting of cells with no peptidoglycan in their cell walls, often living in extreme environments with strange biochemistry and DNA not closely related to eubacteria.

Linnaean Taxonomic Hierarchy

The system of tiers for classification: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum (Division), Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.

Binomial designation

The naming convention using the genus and species name; it must be underlined or italicized, and the genus name must be capitalized.

Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology

A publication first released in 1923 (latest edition 1994) used for identification based on observable characteristics like Gram stain, morphology, oxygen requirements, and nutrition.

Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology

A manual intended to reflect phylogeny using modern techniques like DNA sequencing and protein analysis, with editions published in the 1980s and 2003.

Cyanobacteria

Aerobic photosynthesizers and primary producers in aquatic ecosystems; a representative genus is Oscillatoria.

Spirochetes

Spiral-shaped Gram-negative bacteria possessing an axial filament; includes Treponema (syphilis) and Borrelia (Lyme Disease).

Enteric Bacteria

Facultatively anaerobic Gram-negative rods often inhabiting the colon, such as Escherichia, Salmonella, Shigella, and Yersinia (Plague).

Chlamydias and Rickettsias

Obligate Parasites belonging to the Gram-negative division; examples include the cause of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Staphylococcus

Gram-positive cocci arranged in grapelike clusters that may cause food poisoning or toxic shock syndrome.

Streptococcus

Gram-positive cocci arranged in linear chains that may cause sore throat and Scarlet Fever.

Actinomycetes

Filamentous bacteria that mostly live in soil; the genus Streptomyces produces many antibiotics including streptomycin.

Division III: The Mycoplasmas

Bacteria that lack a cell wall; the genus Mycoplasma may cause bacterial pneumonia.

Extreme Halophiles

Archaebacteria known as "salt-lovers" such as Halobacterium, which requires high salt concentrations.

Extreme Thermophiles

Archaebacteria known as "heat-lovers" like Sulfolobus, which thrive at temperatures from $70^{\circ}C$ to over $100^{\circ}C$.

Methanogens

Archaebacteria like Methanobacterium that turn organic wastes, carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), and hydrogen gas ($H_2$) into methane ($CH_4$).

Viral species

A population of viruses that have similar characteristics, classified for clinical and evolutionary reasons.