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Ch. 1 - The Microbial World and You
Chapter 1, Problem 10.4a

Which of the following is false about scientific nomenclature?
a. Each name is specific.
b. Names vary with geographical location.
c. The names are standardized.
d. Each name consists of a genus and specific epithet.
e. It was first designed by Linnaeus.

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1
Identify the key components of scientific nomenclature, which is a system used to name organisms.
Understand that scientific names are standardized and universally accepted, meaning they do not vary with geographical location.
Recognize that each scientific name consists of two parts: the genus and the specific epithet, following the binomial nomenclature system.
Recall that Carl Linnaeus developed the binomial nomenclature system, which is still in use today.
Evaluate each statement to determine which one contradicts the principles of scientific nomenclature, focusing on the aspect of geographical variation.

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Key Concepts

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

Scientific Nomenclature

Scientific nomenclature refers to the formal system of naming organisms, which follows specific rules and conventions. This system ensures that each species has a unique and universally accepted name, typically consisting of a genus name followed by a specific epithet. The purpose of this standardized naming is to avoid confusion that can arise from common names, which may vary by region.
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Binomial Nomenclature

Binomial nomenclature is the two-part naming system developed by Carl Linnaeus, where each species is given a name that includes its genus and species identifier. For example, in the name 'Homo sapiens', 'Homo' is the genus and 'sapiens' is the specific epithet. This system is crucial for the classification and identification of organisms in biology, providing clarity and consistency across different languages and regions.
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Standardization in Nomenclature

Standardization in scientific nomenclature ensures that names are consistent and universally recognized, which is essential for effective communication among scientists worldwide. This standardization is governed by international codes, such as the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) and the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN). It helps prevent discrepancies that could arise from regional naming variations, thereby facilitating research and collaboration.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Bacillus and Lactobacillus are not in the same order. This indicates that which one of the following is not sufficient to assign an organism to a taxon?

a. biochemical characteristics

b. amino acid sequencing

c. phage typing

d. serology

e. morphological characteristics

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is used to classify organisms into the Kingdom Fungi?

a. ability to photosynthesize; possess a cell wall

b. unicellular; possess cell wall; prokaryotic

c. unicellular; lacking cell wall; eukaryotic

d. absorptive; possess cell wall; eukaryotic

e. ingestive; lacking cell wall; multicellular; prokaryotic

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Textbook Question

DRAW IT Use the following rRNA information to construct a cladogram for some of the organisms used in question 4. What is the purpose of a cladogram? How does your cladogram differ from a dichotomous key for these organisms?

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Textbook Question

DRAW IT Use the information in the following table to complete the dichotomous key to these organisms. What is the purpose of a dichotomous key? Look up each genus in Chapter 11, and provide an example of why this organism is of interest to humans.

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Textbook Question

You could identify an unknown bacterium by all of the following except

a. hybridizing a DNA probe from a known bacterium with the unknown’s DNA.

b. making a fatty acid profile of the unknown.

c. specific antiserum agglutinating the unknown.

d. ribosomal RNA sequencing.

e. percentage of guanine + cytosine.

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Textbook Question

The wall-less mycoplasmas are considered to be related to gram-positive bacteria. Which of the following would provide the most compelling evidence for this?

a. They share common rRNA sequences.

b. Some gram-positive bacteria and some mycoplasmas produce catalase.

c. Both groups are prokaryotic.

d. Some gram-positive bacteria and some mycoplasmas have coccus-shaped cells.

e. Both groups contain human pathogens.

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