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The Spectrum of Microbiology
Like all other living things, microorganisms are placed into a system of
classification.
Classification
highlights characteristics that are common among certain groups while providing order to the variety
of living things. The science of classification is known as
taxonomy
, and
taxon
is an alternative
expression for a classification category. Taxonomy displays the unity and diversity among living
things, including microorganisms. Among the first taxonomists was
Carolus Linnaeus.
In the 1750s
and 1760s, Linnaeus classified all known plants and animals of that period and set down the rules for
nomenclature.
Classification schemes.
The fundamental rank of the classification as set down by Linnaeus is the
species.
For organisms such as animals and plants, a species is defined as a population of
individuals that breed among themselves. For microorganisms, a species is defined as a group of
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- Fall '07
- PESTHY
- Microbiology, Classification scheme, University of St. La Salle, Spectrum of Microbiology, species Shigella boydii, classification category. Taxonomy, classification categories. Morphology
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