Microbial Classification and Nomenclature Quiz

Taxonomy of Microorganisms: Classification and Nomenclature

• Taxonomy is the science of classification of organisms based on similarities.
• The three interrelated areas of taxonomy are classification, nomenclature, and identification.
• Microorganisms are living creatures with simple structures and are microscopic in size.
• Microorganisms can be classified into two types: eukaryotic and prokaryotic.
• Eukaryotic cells have an organized nucleus with several chromosomes and a nuclear membrane, while prokaryotic cells lack an organized nucleus and nuclear membrane and have a single circular chromosome.
• The first classification of living organisms into two kingdoms was done by Carlos Linnaeus in the mid-1700s, but it was not suitable for microorganisms.
• Ernst Haeckel proposed a third kingdom, Protista, for all microorganisms in 1866.
• The kingdom Protista included both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell types, and it was felt that prokaryotic cells should be placed in their own kingdom.
• The new kingdom, Procaryotae, was created for these microorganisms, which is accepted by most microbiologists.
• Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology is the classification "bible" in clinical laboratories, and it does not reflect recent changes in classification and nomenclature.
• The taxonomic ladder consists of various taxonomic groups such as species, genus, family, tribe, order, class, phylum, and kingdom.
• The proper name of an organism consists of a genus name followed by a species name, according to the binomial or Linnaean system.