Assignment Overview
In this Case Assignment, you will conduct independent research to collect information and write a complete essay on one microorganism. You will also share basic information about your microbe in the Module 1 Discussion.
A bacterial species is a distinct organism with certain characteristic features, or a group of organisms that resemble one another closely. A bacterium is named according to its genus and species. An example of this is Escherichia coli (or E. coli for short). Escherichia is the “genus” and “coli” is the species. The genus Escherichia contains many different rod-shaped bacteria from the family Enterobacteriaceae, however the genus and species names together refer to a unique bacterium.
For this assignment, select a unique bacterial species (provide both the genus and species name).
Your bacterium must fall under one of the listed genus categories below:
Bacillus, Escherichia, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Neisseria, Proteus
Case Assignment
Search scholarly articles published in peer-reviewed scientific sources to collect information on the topics listed in Table 1 below. Proper citations and references are required wherever appropriate. Google Scholar, Pubmed Central, and the Trident Online Library are recommended sites to begin your research.
In addition to learning about a specific bacterium, students will develop better conceptual understanding of key topics in microbiology while practicing skills in scientific inquiry such as information literacy and critical thinking.
The essay should include the complete name of your selected bacterium (both genus and species), staining characteristics of the bacterium, the morphology of the bacterial cell, special features, habitat, importance to humans, etc., as noted in the table below.
Table 1: List of topics to include in your essay based on your chosen microbe:
Introduction – Provide an introduction to your essay.
Meaning of Microbe Name – What do the Latin or Greek root words in the microbe’s name mean?
Discovery – When was the microbe discovered and by whom?
Environment/Habitat – Where is this microbe commonly found? What type of growth requirements does it have?
Morphology – What does this microbe look like under a microscope? (Show a representative image.)
Identification – What stains and tests are used to identify this microbe? Describe at least three methods used to identify the microbe in the lab.
Unusual Characteristics – Does your microbe have any unique features or activity? (For example: structures that allow movement.) What distinguishes your microbe from others?
Growth Inhibitors – What limits this microbe’s growth? (For example, drugs, type of environment, lack of certain nutrients, etc.)
Uses/Importance – Is this microbe beneficial, neutral, or harmful? Explain why.
Conclusion – Summarize the highlights of your research.
Assignment Expectations
Organize this essay assignment using subtitles that summarize the topic from each question above. For example, use descriptive subtitles such as Introduction, Microbe Name, Discovery, etc. Your essay should be approximately 2–3 pages in length (not including the title page and reference page).
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