Chapter 36, Problem 1CHI

As more ways of identifying the characteristics of microorganisms emerge, the number of distinguishable microbial strains also seems to increase. Why do you think this is the case?

Summary Introduction

To determine: The reason for increase in distinguishable microbial strains with an increase in emergence of more ways of identifying the characteristics of microorganisms.

Introduction: Several methods and techniques of identification have been devised that allow easy, rapid and reliable generation of results. These techniques allow easy and precise identification and differentiation of various microbial species and strains.

Explanation of Solution

The number of distinguishable microbial strains is increasing as more ways to differentiate them through various identification and classification techniques have been developed. The same strains would have been present before but the earlier study methods were restricted and the strains were therefore difficult to differentiate.

Due to advancements in the characterizing strategies it has now become more common practice to discover newer strains in microbial population. Better microscopes and various culture methods have made it easier to analyze the microbial cell membrane and to study growth patterns respectively. Improvement in study methods has made identification of microbial features possible.