Introduction to Bacteriology: Taxonomy and Morphology

What is the primary stain used in acid-fast staining for bacteria?

Red

Which method of acid-fast staining uses heat to drive the stain to the cell wall?

Ziehl-Neelsen method

What is the composition of endospores that confers resistance to heat, drying, and chemical agents?

Dipicolinic acid

What is the process of spore production called?

Sporulation Signup and view all the answers

Which bacterial genera are capable of forming thick-walled spores for survival when nutrient supply is low?

Bacillus and Clostridium Signup and view all the answers

What are fimbriae in bacteria mainly used for?

Attachment Signup and view all the answers

What is bacterial taxonomy?

Arrangement or catalogue of related organisms into logical groups Signup and view all the answers

Why is bacterial taxonomy important?

Establish criteria in the identification; Arrange related organisms into groups; Provide information on how they evolve; Provide orderly basis for identification and; Placing related organisms into groups or various categories Signup and view all the answers

List the hierarchical categories in bacterial taxonomy.

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species Signup and view all the answers

What are the rules of nomenclature for naming microorganisms?

There is only one correct name for an organism; Names that cause error and confusion shall be rejected; All names shall be Latinized; The first letter of the genus is capitalized; The species is written in lowercase letters; Scientific names are underlined or italicized when printed or written. Signup and view all the answers

What is the glycocalyx of bacteria?

Sugar coat of the bacteria; Gel-like, sticky layer of molecules external to the cell wall. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of bacterial cytology?

To identify and enumerate the bacterial cytology Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the capsule in bacteria?

Protects the cell, biofilms, desiccation, protects the cells underneath, toxic materials, facilitate communication among microorganisms found within, phagocytosis, survival of the cells by attaching to various surfaces in its natural environment Signup and view all the answers

Describe the structure of flagella.

Thread-like or whip-like filamentous appendage Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of fimbriae in bacteria?

Adhere some bacterial cells to one another and to environmental surfaces, functions in biofilm formation Signup and view all the answers

How does cell wall synthesis contribute to bacterial function?

Provides rigidity and strength to the exterior of the cell, maintains intracellular water pressure, maintains association of the wall with cell membrane, point of anchorage of the flagella, site of antibiotic action Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between gram positive and gram negative bacteria in terms of their cell wall composition.

Gram positive bacteria have several layers of peptidoglycan and contain teichoic acid, while gram negative bacteria have one or two layers of peptidoglycan and a lipopolysaccharide component. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Lipid A in gram negative bacteria?

Lipid A is the 'endotoxin' component of the gram negative wall and can cause inflammatory reactions and fever shock. Signup and view all the answers

How are acid-fast stains used in microbiology?

To stain bacteria with high lipid and wax content in their cell walls that do not stain well with traditional bacterial stains. Signup and view all the answers