Hamzah Sarmad
17AB
A: Understand the importance of microbial classification to medicine and industry
B: Undertake microscopy for specimen examination in laboratories
Classifying/Comparing Microorganisms
Microorganisms can be classified through the use of taxonomy which helps to differentiate the microorganisms
putting them into separate groups. The hierarchy of classification is as follows: domain, kingdom, phylum, class,
order, family, genus and then species. The classification takes into account the different structures that the
microorganisms may have and some of their individual characteristics beyond the general structure.
Protozoa:
Protozoa are single-celled, eukaryotic organisms that belong to the kingdom Protista. They are classified through
their morphology: pseudopodia, ciliated, non-motile and flagellum. They reproduce asexually through binary fission;
they can also be both parasitic as well as non-parasitic. The size of a protozoa ranges from 1 micrometre up to 50
micrometres. For example, Amoebozoa as shown in the photomicrograph below is classified using its size which
ranges from 10-20 micrometres long and is classified according to the morphology for which it shows pseudopodia
which it uses for mobility by extending and contracting it (Horan N 2003). Amoebozoa can also be classified through
their reproductive means, in this case the protozoa reproduce through sexual means through meiosis which is the
production of gametes. This method of classification is done via the Whittaker’s classification standards.
Electron micrograph of an amoebozoa (Sina M 2006)
Fungi:
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that are heterotrophic, meaning they are not able to produce their own food and
therefore must have a host to survive, they belong to the Fungi kingdom. They can reproduce asexually, sexually as
well as through the production of spores. They are classified through their morphology which is the following:
Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Glomeromycotan which range in size from as little
as 2 micrometres up to 1500 micrometres. An example of this is rhizopus which is shown in the photomicrograph
below which can grow to be up to 1500 micrometres, it can also reproduce through the production of both sexual
and asexual spores produced inside of the sporangium which is the spherical structure inside of the fungi. The size,
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17AB
A: Understand the importance of microbial classification to medicine and industry
B: Undertake microscopy for specimen examination in laboratories
Classifying/Comparing Microorganisms
Microorganisms can be classified through the use of taxonomy which helps to differentiate the microorganisms
putting them into separate groups. The hierarchy of classification is as follows: domain, kingdom, phylum, class,
order, family, genus and then species. The classification takes into account the different structures that the
microorganisms may have and some of their individual characteristics beyond the general structure.
Protozoa:
Protozoa are single-celled, eukaryotic organisms that belong to the kingdom Protista. They are classified through
their morphology: pseudopodia, ciliated, non-motile and flagellum. They reproduce asexually through binary fission;
they can also be both parasitic as well as non-parasitic. The size of a protozoa ranges from 1 micrometre up to 50
micrometres. For example, Amoebozoa as shown in the photomicrograph below is classified using its size which
ranges from 10-20 micrometres long and is classified according to the morphology for which it shows pseudopodia
which it uses for mobility by extending and contracting it (Horan N 2003). Amoebozoa can also be classified through
their reproductive means, in this case the protozoa reproduce through sexual means through meiosis which is the
production of gametes. This method of classification is done via the Whittaker’s classification standards.
Electron micrograph of an amoebozoa (Sina M 2006)
Fungi:
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that are heterotrophic, meaning they are not able to produce their own food and
therefore must have a host to survive, they belong to the Fungi kingdom. They can reproduce asexually, sexually as
well as through the production of spores. They are classified through their morphology which is the following:
Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Glomeromycotan which range in size from as little
as 2 micrometres up to 1500 micrometres. An example of this is rhizopus which is shown in the photomicrograph
below which can grow to be up to 1500 micrometres, it can also reproduce through the production of both sexual
and asexual spores produced inside of the sporangium which is the spherical structure inside of the fungi. The size,
1|Page
