Deck 1: Microbial Taxonomy

Question 1

The use of a double genus in a microorganism's label, such as Burkholderia (Pseudomonas), indicates that the bacterium:

A) does not fit well in either group but has some characteristics of both groups.
B) is a genetic cross between the two groups.
C) has been moved from one genus (Pseudomonas) to another genus (Burkholderia).
D) has been moved from one genus (Burkholderia) to another genus (Pseudomonas).

Answer 1

C
A name of an organism may change as scientists learn more about the organism.An older name is often included in parentheses next to the current name to alleviate confusion about the identity of the organism.

Question 2

Which binomial name is correctly written?

A) Staphylococcus Aureus
B) staphylococcus aureus
C) Staphylococcus aureus
D) Staphylococcus aureus

Answer 2

C
The genus should be capitalized, and the species should be in lowercase.The entire name is either italicized or underlined.

Question 3

The most basic taxonomic group that can be defined as a collection of bacterial strains that share many common physiologic and genetic features is:

A) genus.
B) species.
C) class.
D) kingdom.

Answer 3

B
Bacteria are classified into the same species, based on their physiologic and genetic similarities and their differences from bacteria in other species.

Question 4

An example of an organism's genotypic characteristic is its:

A) macroscopic morphologic structure.
B) microscopic morphologic structure.
C) nucleic acid composition.
D) antigenic properties.

Question 5

Colonial and microscopic morphologic properties, along with the pigmentation of colonies, would belong to a microorganism group of ________ characteristics.

A) genotypic
B) taxonomic
C) phenotypic
D) subspecies

Question 6

The taxon that is composed of similar species that have several important features in common but differ sufficiently to still maintain their status as individual species is which one of the following?

A) Class
B) Order
C) Family
D) Genus

Question 7

An organism is serologically identified in the clinical laboratory.This is an example of which phenotypic property?

A) Subcellular properties
B) Antigenic properties
C) Resistant profiles
D) Nucleic acid sequence analysis

Question 8

Taxonomy can be described as a system that:

A) classifies, names, and identifies microorganisms in a consistent manner.
B) classifies microorganisms, based on their genetic makeup.
C) classifies microorganisms, based on their phenotypic makeup.
D) classifies microorganisms, based on their cellular and colonial traits.

Question 9

Which binomial name is correctly written?

A) Escherichia coli
B) Escherichia coli
C) Escherichia coli
D) Escherichia Coli

Question 10

A bacterium that has been moved from one genus (Pseudomonas)to another genus (Burkholderia)would be correctly noted as which one of the following?

A) Pseudomonas (Burkholderia)
B) Burkholderia (Pseudomonas)
C) Pseudomonas, formerly Burkholderia
D) Burkholderia, formerly Pseudomonas