Classification
/
Types
of
Microorganisms
Considering
the
various
types
of
approaches
to
taxonomy
of
microorganisms,
we
would
like
to
consider
the
characters
,that
are
used
by
the
microbiologists
for
this
purpose.
The
following
are
the
types
of
characters
used
in
classification:
1.
Morphological
characters - These
concem
cell
shape
and
size,
staining
reactions.
presence
or
absence
of
spores
or
reproductive
forms,
type
of
motility
etc.
2.
Cultural
Characters
-
These
include
the
cultural
requirements
for
multiplication
(e.g.
nutrients.
oxygen,
temperature,
etc.)
and
the
way
growth
occurs
in
liquid
media,
and
particularly
on
solid
media
(e.g.
colony
form)
3.
Biochemical
Characters
-
These
include
the
more
specific
biochemical
characteristics
such
as
metabolic
end-products
and
the
presence
or
absence
of
a
particular
enzyme
or
pathway.
4.
Serological
characters
- .
These
concern
the
nature
of
the
surface
antigens
as
revealed
by
suitable
specific
antibodies.
5.
Molecular
Characters.
These
include
the
sequences
of
bases
in
the
DNA,
GC
ratios
and
nucleic
acid
hybridisation.
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