Question

Why do we do oxidase, catalase, and nitrate reduction metabolic tests, select all that apply

a. Help identify what group an unknown bacterium belongs to

b. Help characterize metabolic strategies of newly discovered bacteria species

c. These tests can uniquely identify an organism without any other information

d. Help distinguish species that are different, but look the same under the microscope

I chose a and b on my first attempt and only got partial credit, need help. Thank you.

Answer 1

a) Helps to identify what group of unknown bacteria belongs to ( gram positive bacteria can be identified through catalase test, nitrate broth , gram negetive bacteria can be identify through oxidase test , aerobic bacteria can identify through oxidase test)

b) helps to characterize metabolic stratergies of newly discovered bacterial species. ( nitrate reductase test used to identify enterobacteriaceae family)

d) helps to distinguish species that are different , but looks same under the microscope ( catalase test used to identify streptococci and staphylococci)