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Ch. 1 - The Microbial World and You
Tortora - Microbiology: An Introduction 14th Edition
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTortora 14th EditionCh. 1 - The Microbial World and YouProblem 1
Chapter 1, Problem 1

Which of the following is a scientific name?
a. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
b. Tubercle bacillus

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1
Understand that a scientific name in microbiology follows the binomial nomenclature system, which consists of two parts: the genus name and the species name.
Identify that the genus name is always capitalized and the species name is lowercase, and both are italicized or underlined when handwritten.
Look at option a: 'Mycobacterium tuberculosis' — it has two parts, with the first capitalized and the second lowercase, fitting the binomial format.
Look at option b: 'Tubercle bacillus' — this is a common name or descriptive term, not following the binomial nomenclature rules.
Conclude that the scientific name is the one that follows the binomial system, which is option a: 'Mycobacterium tuberculosis'.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Binomial Nomenclature

Binomial nomenclature is the formal system of naming species using two Latinized names: the genus name followed by the species name. This system ensures each organism has a unique and universally accepted scientific name, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
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Scientific Name vs. Common Name

A scientific name is a standardized Latin name used globally to identify species, while a common name is a non-standardized, often local or descriptive name. For example, 'Mycobacterium tuberculosis' is the scientific name, whereas 'Tubercle bacillus' is a common name.
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Taxonomic Hierarchy

Taxonomic hierarchy classifies organisms into ranked groups like genus and species. The scientific name reflects this hierarchy, with the genus capitalized and species lowercase, both italicized, helping to precisely identify and categorize organisms.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Which of the following is the most important element of Koch’s germ theory of disease? The animal shows disease symptoms when

a. the animal has been in contact with a sick animal.

b. the animal has a lowered resistance.

c. a microorganism is observed in the animal.

d. a microorganism is inoculated into the animal.

e. microorganisms can be cultured from the animal.

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Textbook Question

How did the idea of spontaneous generation come about?

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Textbook Question

Briefly state the role microorganisms play in each of the following:

a. Biological control of pests

b. Recycling of elements

c. Normal microbiota

d. Sewage treatment

e. Human insulin production

f. Vaccine production

g. Biofilms

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is not a characteristic of bacteria?

a. Are prokaryotic

b. Have peptidoglycan cell walls

c. Have the same shape

d. Grow by binary fission

e. Have the ability to move

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