Forbes: Bailey & Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology, 12th Edition

Test Bank

Chapter 1: Microbial Taxonomy

	MULTIPLE CHOICE

	1.	Taxonomy can be described as
a.	a consistent means to classify, name, and identify organisms.	
b.	the common language in science that minimizes confusion about names.	
c.	the naming system that allows scientific attention to center on more important issues and phenomena.	
d.	playing a central role in providing accurate and timely diagnosis of infectious diseases.	
e.	All of the above are true. 	

ANS:	E
All choices given are true statements regarding the definition and the role of the science of taxonomy.

REF:	Text Reference: p. 2		OBJ:	Level: Knowledge	

	2.	The most basic taxonomic group that can be defined as a collection of bacterial strains that share many common physiologic and genetic features is
a.	genus.	
b.	species.	
c.	class. 	
d.	kingdom.	
e.	order.	

ANS:	B
Bacteria are classified into the same species based on physiologic and genetic similarities as well as their differences from bacteria in other species.

REF:	Text Reference: p. 2		OBJ:	Level: Knowledge	

	3.	Colonial morphology, color, and smell would belong to a microorganism's group of 
a.	genotypic characteristics.	
b.	taxonomic characteristics. 	
c.	phenotypic characteristics. 	
d.	subspecies characteristics.	

ANS:	C

Phenotypic characteristics are the observable properties of the subject.

REF:	Text Reference: p. 3		OBJ:	Level: Application	

	4.	Choose the binomial name that is correctly written.
a.	Escherichia coli 	
b.	Escherichia coli 	
c.	Escherichia coli 	
d.	Escherichia Coli 	

ANS:	A
Genus should be capitalized; species should be in lower case. The entire name is either italicized or underlined.

REF:	Text Reference: pp. 2-3	OBJ:	Level: Application	

	5.	The use of a double genus in a microorganism's label such as Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) indicates that 
a.	the bacterium does not fit well in either group but has some characteristics of both groups.	
b.	the bacterium is a genetic cross between the two groups.	
c.	the bacterium has been moved from one genus (Pseudomonas) to another genus (Burkholderia). 	
d.	the bacterium has been moved from one genus (Burkholderia) to another genus (Pseudomonas).	

ANS:	C
Names of organisms may change as scientists learn more about organisms. Older names are often included in parentheses alongside current names to alleviate confusion about the identity of the organism.

REF:	Text Reference: p. 3		OBJ:	Level: Application	

	6.	A bacterium that has been moved from one genus (Pseudomonas) to another genus (Burkholderia) would be correctly noted as
a.	Pseudomonas (Burkholderia).	
b.	Burkholderia (Pseudomonas).	
c.	Pseudomonas, formerly Burkholderia.	
d.	Burkholderia, formerly Pseudomonas.	

ANS:	B
Names of organisms may change as scientists learn more about organisms. Older names are often included in parentheses alongside current names to alleviate confusion about the identity of the organism.

REF:	Text Reference: p. 3		OBJ:	Level: Application	

	7.	A collection of bacterial strains that share many common physiologic and genetic features can be defined as
a.	genus.	
b.	species.	
c.	class. 	
d.	kingdom.	
e.	order.	

ANS:	B
Bacteria are classified into the same species based on physiologic and genetic similarities as well as their differences from bacteria in other species.

REF:	Text Reference: p. 2		OBJ:	Level: Knowledge	

	8.	Choose the binomial name that is correctly written.
a.	Staphylococcus Aureus 	
b.	Staphylococcus aureus 	
c.	Staphylococcus aureus	
d.	Staphylococcus aureus	

ANS:	C
Genus should be capitalized; species should be in lower case. The entire name is either italicized or underlined.

REF:	Text Reference: pp. 2-3	OBJ:	Level: Application	

	9.	The proper way to indicate that a bacterium has been moved from one genus (Pseudomonas) to another genus (Burkholderia) would be
a.	Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia.	
b.	Pseudomonas (Burkholderia ) cepacia.	
c.	Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia.	
d.	Pseudomonas (Burkholderia ) cepacia.	

ANS:	C
Names of organisms may change as scientists learn more about organisms. Older names are often included in parentheses alongside current names to alleviate confusion about the identity of the organism.

REF:	Text Reference: p. 3		OBJ:	Level: Application