Taxonomic Classification of E. coli

Study Notes

Taxonomic Classification of E. coli

Domain: Bacteria - Includes all prokaryotic organisms, forming one of the three primary domains of life.
Phylum: Proteobacteria - A major phylum known for its diverse metabolism and includes many pathogens.
Class: Gamma-proteobacteria - A class within Proteobacteria, containing many of the most common bacteria found in clinical settings.
Order: Enterobacteriales - An order comprising various gram-negative bacteria, commonly found in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals.
Family: Enterobacteriaceae - A large family of bacteria that includes many important pathogens, as well as harmless flora in the gut.
Genus: Escherichia - A genus within Enterobacteriaceae, known for species that are part of the normal gut microbiota and well-studied for their role in health and disease.
Species: coli - Specific species under genus Escherichia, primarily found in the intestines of humans and animals, some strains can be pathogenic.
Strain: DH5-alpha - A lac mutant strain of E. coli, commonly used in laboratories for cloning and molecular biology experiments.
E. coli O157-H7: A harmful strain linked to serious foodborne illness; produces a toxin that contributes to interhemorrhagic disease, characterized by bloody stools. Its pathogenicity is due to specific genes that allow toxin production, absent in benign strains.

Description

Test your knowledge on the taxonomic classification of Escherichia coli with these flashcards. Each card covers a different level of classification, from domain to species, helping you reinforce your understanding of microbial taxonomy.