II.

Classification of Microorganisms

A. Principles of Classification and

Nomenclature
B. Eukaryotic Organisms
C. Prokaryotic Organisms
D. Viruses
II. A. Principles of Classification
and Nomenclature
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum (pl: Phyla)
Class
Order
Family
Genus (pl: Genera)
Species (pl: Species)
II. A. Principles of Classification
and Nomenclature
Phylogenetic vs. Phenetic Classification
Systems
Phylogenetic Classification System: Groups
reflect genetic similarity and evolutionary
relatedness
Phenetic Classification System: Groups do not
necessarily reflect genetic similarity or
evolutionary relatedness. Instead, groups are
based on convenient or observable characteristics.
II. A. Principles of Classification
and Nomenclature
Definition of species in microbiology
Type strains:
Known well-characterized pure
cultures; references for the
identification of unknowns
American Type Culture Collection
(ATCC)
II. A. Principles of Classification
and Nomenclature
Species vs. Strain
Species: A specific or defined type of
organism, defined by similarity with
known species.
Strain: Genetic variation within a
species
II. A. Principles of Classification
and Nomenclature
Nomenclature
Scientific name (Systematic Name)
Binomial System of Nomenclature
Genus name + species name
italicized or underlined
genus name is capitalized and may be abbreviated
species name is never abbreviated.
eg: Bacillus subtilis
B. subtilis
II. A. Principles of Classification
and Nomenclature
Nomenclature (cont.)
Common or descriptive names
(trivial names)
eg: tubercle bacillus
(Mycobacterium tuberculosis)
meningococcus
(Neiserria meningitidis)
Group A streptococcus
(Streptococcus pyogenes)
II. B. Eukaryotic Organisms
Eukaryotic Cells
Have: Complex Internal Membrane System
Compartmentalization
Membrane-Enclosed Organelles
DNA is enclosed in a membrane-bound
nucleus
Includes:
Animal & Plant cells
Eukaryotic Microorganisms
II. B. Eukaryotic Organisms

Eukaryotic Kingdoms
Kingdom Protista
(Protozoa and Algae)
Kingdom Fungi
Kingdom Plantae
Kingdom Animalia
II. C. Prokaryotic Organisms
Prokaryotic Cells
Have: No (or few) internal membranes
Many processes that are associated with
organelles in eukaryotes (eg. respiration,
photosynthesis) are mediated by specialized
regions of the plasma membrane in
prokaryotes
II. C. Prokaryotic Organisms
Prokaryotic Cells (cont.)
There is no membrane-bound nucleus in
prokaryotes. Instead the DNA is located
within a specialized region of the cytoplasm
of the cell called the nucleoid region. There
is no nuclear membrane surrounding the
nucleoid.
Includes: The Bacteria
The terms prokaryotic cell and bacterial
cell often are used interchangeably
II. C. Prokaryotic Organisms
Prokaryotic Kingdoms
Kingdom Eubacteria
Kingdom Archaeobacteria
II. D. Viruses
Structure of a Virus Particle
Noncellular Biological Entity
Contains either DNA or RNA (not both)
Nucleic Acid is surrounded or coated by a
protein shell (capsid)
Some viruses possess a membrane-like
envelope surrounding the particle
II. D. Viruses
Viral Replication
No independent metabolism or replication
Replicate only inside an infected host cell
Do not replicate via a process of cell division
Replicate via a process of:
Attachment and Penetration
Disassembly (uncoating)
Synthesis of Viral Protein and Nucleic Acid
Reassembly of new viral particles
Release of new viral particles