Microbial Taxonomy and Bacterial Genetics Quiz

Staining Methods

• Helicobacter pylori is commonly stained using the Warthin-Starry silver stain method.
• Legionella is typically stained using the Dieterle silver stain method.
• Acid-fast staining is NOT associated with Gram Stain.

Microbial Quantification

• Total Plate Count is primarily used to estimate the number of bacteria present.

Microbial Classification

• Carl Von Linne classified microbes in the order: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

DNA Structure and Function

• James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the helical structure of DNA through X-RAY studies.
• DNA nucleotides are composed of sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous bases.
• DNA polymerase plays a crucial role in bacterial genetics by synthesizing new DNA strands.

Extrachromosomal Elements

• Plasmids are known for carrying genes related to antimicrobial resistance.

Gene Transfer

• Transformation involves bacteria taking up naked DNA from dying bacteria.

Cell Wall Characteristics

• Prokaryotic organisms have DNA that is not enclosed in a membrane.
• The main component of the cell wall in Gram-positive bacteria is peptidoglycan.
• Mycoplasma lacks a cell wall.

Staining Techniques

• Acid-fast staining is used to visualize acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacteria.
• Gram-staining is used to identify bacterial cell walls by staining peptidoglycan.
• Crystal violet, iodine, and safranin are used in Gram-staining.

Cell Characteristics

• Outer membrane is present in Gram-negative bacteria.
• Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall.
• Teichoic acid gives a negative charge to Gram-positive bacteria.
• Bacteria lack organelles and histones.
• Mycoplasma is differentiated from other bacteria by its lack of a cell wall.

Test your knowledge on microbial taxonomy from Kingdom to Species, as well as concepts in bacterial genetics including DNA structure, transcription, translation, and key discoveries by scientists. Explore the genetic makeup and characteristics of bacteria.