How Are Bacteria Named?

Bacteria or prokaryotes are system cells of the kingdom Monera (as opposed to the Metazoa [animal] or Plantae) that are unlike any other living organism. The bacterium (singular) exists as a single cell organism that is defined by an uncontained nuclei and a cell wall, usually made up of proteins. Classification and taxonomy of bacteria is conducted by scientists and controlled by the International Committee on Systematic Bacteria with the taxonomy rules having been set in the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria.

Classification

• Ordinarily, bacteria names consist of a two-part entry, the first being the classification and the second being the specifics of the bacterium. Classification of bacteria is done according to living environment, shape, clustering pattern and DNA base composition. These factors are used to classify families of bacteria as well as to locate their individual members.

Shape

• The shapes of bacteria have been registered and classified as Coccus (round), bacillus (rod shaped), Spirrillum (spiralled) and vibrio (curved) with spirilla sometimes being known as spirochete and plural names for each being Cocci, Bacilli, Spirilla and Vibrios. An example of this type of bacteria naming could include Bacillus subtilis. In any bacterium, the original classification is capitalized and the second name is left uncapitalized. In handwriting it is underlined and the first word may be shortened to B. subtilis.

Clustering

• Bacteria often cluster using tiny hair like pili located on their outer cell walls. In many cases, the method of clumping is used to classify the bacteria, Diplo or Diploid (paired), groups of four (tetra), chain (Strepto) and clump (staphylo). This classification type can be used either in tandem with other specifications or with the bacteria's unique name. A common example would be Staphylococcus aureus with the classification being a round bacterium that clumps together, the aureus being the bacteria's specific name.

Gram Testing and Pathogenic Bacteria

• Bacteria are also classified by a method known as gram testing. Gram is a stain that appears on most bacteria, and any bacteria will test either positive or negative for the stain. The positive stain bacteria are the larger group with the negative stain group having its own classification due to the fact that it is rare and usually dangerous to humans. Pathogenic bacteria are virus-type bacteria that are not benign and can cause damage in humans by replicating themselves quickly by modifying the host's cells.

Other

• Other methods of classification include the examination of the DNA strand. Bacteria consist of a double-strand DNA that is uniquely different between each bacteria family and family group. This is the most specific method of identifying bacteria. Bacteria are also named in reference to the growing conditions they need to survive, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which requires oxygen to grow. In some cases, a new genus or family of bacteria will be named after the scientist who discovered it rather than its specifications.