Classifying Bacteria
Name ______________________
Procedure
1)Look at the drawings of bacteria in the data table.
Use the table and diagrams to complete this exercise.
2) Follow the directions in the key to identify each
bacterium. When using key always begin at “A”.
3) Look at the shape of each bacterium in the table.
From the key select the choice that best describes the
bacterium. Move to the end of the line. If there is a
name, you have identified the bacterium. If not,
follow the directions given. Repeat the procedure
until you arrive at a scientific name. Write the
scientific name next to the correct bacterium on your
paper. Repeat the procedure for each bacterium.
Key
A
AA
AAA
shape is round
shape is rodlike
shape is spiral
F
FF
FFF
bacterium has flagella
bacterium has a spore
in its center
bacterium has a spore
at its end
Bacterium
Name
Bacillus typhosa
Bacillus
botulinum
Bacillus tetani
Bacterium
bacteria are in pairs
bacteria are in chains
bacteria are in clumps
go to D
go to E
staphylococcus
aureus
C
CC
CCC
bacteria are in pair
bacteria are in chains
bacteria are single
Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus lactis
go to F
D
bacteria have a heavy
covering
bacteria lack a heavy
covering
2) What scientific term is used to denote a bacteria
with a rod-like shape?
Name
3) Identify by scientific name the bacteria associated
with the following:
a) pneumonia
b) botulism poisoning
go to B
go to C
Treponema
pallidum
B
BB
BBB
Assignment # ____
c) tetanus
d) anthrax
4) What prefix denotes that the bacteria are in chains?
(hint – look at section B)
5) What prefix denotes that bacteria are in pairs?
DD
Diplococcus
meningitides
Diplococcus
pneumoniae
6) Explain how a key helps to classify bacteria.
E
EE
bacteria is large in size
Streptococcus
pyogenes
bacterium is small in size Streptococcus
lactis
“F” at top of next column
Questions & Conclusions
1) What scientific term is used to denote a bacteria
with a round shape?