Taxonomy and Classification
1. Define:
Taxonomy - the science or study of the classification of organisms.
Binomial nomenclature - the system of having two names for each organism type. These include the genus name (capitalized) and the species name or specific epithet (not capitalized) of the organisms being identified. This system provides each type of organism with a unique scientific name that allows it to be recognized throughout the scientific community (world wide). It was developed by Carolus Linnaeus in 1735 but has undergone extensive and somewhat inconsistent modification since; a feature that can be frustrating to students.
Psychrophile - Organisms that grow best at cold temperatures (-5 to 20 degrees centigrade) are psychrophiles. For example, that scary stuff lurking at the back of the refrigerator.
Photoheterotroph - Organisms that obtain their energy from light and use preformed organic compounds for carbon can be nutritionally categorized as photoheterotrophs (Bacteria identified as Rhodospirillum do this.)
Microaerophile - Organisms that grows best in the presence of small amounts of oxygen (less than the amount normally found in air) are sometimes called microaerophiles.
2. Taxonomy/ Monera or Prokaryotae Note - Since bacteria and archaea are now categorized in two separate domains, this kingdom no longer exists.
3. genus/ species
4. order
5. R.H. Whittaker/ Protista
6. morphological
7. chemoheterotrophs or chemoorganotrophs/hypotrophs
8. photoautotrophs
9. parasites/ saprotrophs (also called saprophytes in some texts)
10. chemoautotrophs (also called lithotrophs)
11. respiratory
12. facultatively anaerobic/ fermentative
13. obligately anaerobic
14. psychrophiles/ psychroduric
15. hyperthermophiles or stearothermophiles/ thermoduric
16. In a technical sense, pH = -log [H+] or -log of hydronium ion concentration present in the environment, however, in the case of culture media, we typically think of pH as a measure of the acidity or alkalinity present.
17. pH indicators
18. halophile
19. symbiotic/ pathogens
20. enzymatic testing
21. serological typing/ bacteriophages (viruses)
22. antibodies/ bacteriophages (viruses)
23. nucleic acids (DNA or in some cases RNA)
24. gel electrophoresis
25. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is used in nucleotide sequencing techniques and in DNA "finger printing". In both cases segments of DNA are allowed to move through the gel in response to electrical current and form bands in specific patterns. These banding patterns are then analyzed.
26. The human genome project was undertaken with the intent of determining the nucleotide sequences of all genes included in the human genome. This project has involved a tremendous amount of work, and many people working in multiple laboratories.
Copyright 2002 Sierra College Biological Sciences Department
Last updated: 01/18/02.
