Running head: MYSTERY ORGANISM

Unit 6 Exercise 1 Mystery Organism Jilian McGugan ITT Technical Institute

GE150 Nelsen May 3, 2012

MYSTERY ORGANISM MEMO FROM: Jilian McGugan, Staff Biologist TO: Carrie Johnson RE: Bacteria

All organisms can be grouped into a series of subdivisions that make up the taxonomic hierarchy. Important steps in the identification of organisms are to determine their size, and shape. With the clues provided, we know this microscopic organism is clonal and single-celled. Bacteria are relatively simple single-celled organisms. Since we have established that we are dealing with bacteria, Bergeys Manual of Determinative Bacteriology is recommended to identify the organism. Bergeys Manual of Determinative Bacteriology has been a widely used reference for identifying bacteria based on cell wall composition, morphology, differential staining, oxygen requirements, and biochemical testing. With the information provided, we have created a step by step guide to assist you in classifying the organism. Step 1, identify the Microorganism: Types of Microorganism: 1) Bacteria are relatively simple single-celled (unicellular) organisms. 2) Archaea are not known to cause human disease. 3) Fungi can be unicellular or multicellular. 4) Protozoa are unicellular. 5) Algae are unicellular. 6) Viruses are not cellular (acellular).

MYSTERY ORGANISM Step 2, Characteristics to Observe 1) Bacteria are relatively simple single-celled (unicellular) organisms. Not enclosed in a special nuclear membrane. Appear in several shapes; bacillus (rod-like), coccus (spherical or ovoid), spiral (corkscrew or curved) star-shaped or square. Individual bacteria may form pairs, chains, clusters, or other groupings; such formations are usually characteristic of a particular genus or species of bacteria. Bacteria grown in a given time in media are called a culture. A pure culture is often a clone, a population of cells from a single parent. 2) Archaea are like bacteria, consist of prokaryotic cells, but if they have cell walls, the walls lack peptidoglycan. Not known to cause human disease. 3) Fungi are eukaryotic, organisms whose cells have a distinct nucleus containing the cells genetic material (DNA), surrounded by a special envelope called the nuclear membrane. Can be unicellular or multicellular. 4) Protozoa are unicellular, eukaryotic microbes. Have a variety of shapes. 5) Algae are unicellular with a variety of shapes. 6) Viruses are not cellular (acellular).

MYSTERY ORGANISM Step 3, Characteristics used to classify the organism.

Microorganism Clonal Bacteria Single-celled

Protozoa

Algae

Fungi

Bacteria

Step 4, Identify the unknown microorganism. Gram staining is the most effective way to identify bacteria. Most bacteria are gram positive or gram negative. In order to be certain the organism is bacteria, a Gram stain needs to be performed on the isolated sample. Bergeys Manual of Determinative Bacteriology is recommended for identifying unknown organisms. Staphylococcus aureus is an example of Gram positive, which will appear purple. Escherichia coli will appear red, which is an example of Gram negative.

MYSTERY ORGANISM References

Tortora, G. J., Funke, B. R., & Case, C. L. (2007). Microbiology an introduction. San Francisco: Pearson Education, Inc. Trefil, J., & Hazen, R. (2007). The Sciences. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.