Classification of Microorganisms

Discuss the use of Bergey’s Manual as a tool of classification of identification.

Students will examine how earlier editions of the Bergey’s manual grouped bacteria by morphology (rod, coccus) staining reactions, presence of endospores and other obvious features. They will address the limitation of this earlier system and compare it to the new system of classification and identification that is based on classifying bacteria at the molecular level based primarily on ribosomal RNA sequences.

The readings for Week 1 and discussion activities in the same weeks are beneficial in preparing to complete this assignment.

1. Learners will synthesize their findings in a summary presentation of at least 10 slides that will be shared with their peers by the initial due date. 

Control of Microbial Growth

Assume that you are responsible for decontamination of materials in a large hospital. How would you sterilize each of the following? Briefly justify your answers. a) A mattress used by a patient with bubonic plague b) Intravenous glucose-saline solutions. c) Used disposable syringes d) Tissues taken from patients. Which important infectious agents are not killed by autoclaves.

You will assume that you have particular tasks as part of a job you have to perform. Then using what you have learned, your text, lectures, discussions and/or assignments, you are required to describe ways to help microbial contamination in hospital settings and hence prevent the transmission of nosocomial infections.

1. Learners will synthesize their findings in a summary presentation of at least 10 slides that will be shared with their peers by the initial due date.