Ch. 11 - Characterizing and Classifying Prokaryotes

Bauman - Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy 6th Edition

Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302Not the one you use?Change textbook

Bauman 6th Edition

Ch. 11 - Characterizing and Classifying Prokaryotes

Problem 9

Chapter 11, Problem 9

For each of the following statements that is true, write “true” in the blank. For each statement that is false, write the word(s) that should be substituted for the underlined word(s) to make the statement correct.
__________ A giant bacterium that is large enough to be seen without a microscope is Selenomonas.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the statement and identify the key claim. The statement says that a giant bacterium visible without a microscope is Selenomonas.

Step 2: Recall or research the characteristics of Selenomonas. Selenomonas is a genus of bacteria, but it is not known for being giant or visible to the naked eye.

Step 3: Identify the correct giant bacterium that is large enough to be seen without a microscope. One well-known example is Epulopiscium fishelsoni, a giant bacterium visible to the naked eye.

Step 4: Substitute the incorrect term 'Selenomonas' with the correct term 'Epulopiscium' to make the statement true.

Step 5: Conclude that the corrected statement should read: 'A giant bacterium that is large enough to be seen without a microscope is Epulopiscium.'

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.

Video duration:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

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

Giant Bacteria

Giant bacteria are unusually large bacterial cells visible to the naked eye, such as Thiomargarita namibiensis. These bacteria challenge the typical microscopic size range of bacteria and have unique adaptations to support their large size.

Selenomonas Characteristics

Selenomonas is a genus of crescent-shaped, anaerobic bacteria commonly found in the oral cavity and rumen. They are not giant bacteria and are microscopic, so they cannot be seen without a microscope.

Correct Identification of Giant Bacteria

The correct example of a giant bacterium visible without a microscope is Thiomargarita namibiensis, not Selenomonas. Understanding which bacteria are classified as giant helps in accurately evaluating statements about bacterial size.

Recommended video:

Guided course

06:18

Introduction to Bacteria

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Describe the special features of snapping division that distinguish it from regular binary fission.

views

Textbook Question

Name and describe six distinct classes of phylum Proteobacteria.

views

Textbook Question

For each of the following statements that is true, write “true” in the blank. For each statement that is false, write the word(s) that should be substituted for the underlined word(s) to make the statement correct.

__________ Most cyanobacteria form heterocysts in which nitrogen fixation occurs.

views

Textbook Question

Flexible spiral-shaped prokaryotes are __________ .

a. spirilla

b. spirochetes

c. vibrios

d. rickettsias

views

Textbook Question

The presence of mycolic acid in the cell wall characterizes __________ .

a. Corynebacterium