Microbial Naming Rules 3

Overview

This lecture introduces Carolus Linnaeus and explains the rules for properly naming microbes using the binomial nomenclature system.

Carolus Linnaeus created the scientific naming (nomenclature) system in 1735, known as binomial nomenclature.
Despite the system's importance in microbiology, Linnaeus never actually named a microbe, grouping them instead into "class chaos."
Binomial nomenclature uses a two-part name: genus and species.

The genus is the first word and is always capitalized; the species is the second word and is lowercase.
Both genus and species names must be italicized or underlined when written or typed.
After the first full use of a name, the genus can be abbreviated (e.g., Escherichia coli → E. coli).
Subspecies or strains are indicated after the species name and are important for distinguishing strains in microbiology.
Names are typically Latinized for universal understanding, though they can have Greek or other origins.

Escherichia coli: "Escherichia" honors the discoverer Theodore Escherich; "coli" refers to the colon.
Staphylococcus aureus: "Staphylococcus" describes clustered spheres; "aureus" means gold, describing colony color.
Streptococcus pneumonia: "Strepto" means chain, though most strains are diplococci (pairs).
Haemophilus influenzae: Named under the mistaken belief it caused influenza.

Binomial nomenclature — a scientific naming system using two names: genus and species.
Genus — the first part of a scientific name, always capitalized.
Species — the second part of a scientific name, always lowercase.
Latinized — converted to Latin form for scientific naming.
Subspecies/Strain — further classification below species, important for identifying different types of microbes.

Memorize the rules for writing scientific names (italicization/underlining, capitalization).
Know examples of correctly named microbes.
Learn and remember the contributions of Carolus Linnaeus.