A bacterial genus can best be described as:

A bacterial genus can best be described as:

• A. Composed of one or more species
• B. Belonging to a species
• C. Composed of classes
• D. Composed of families

Answer: (B)

In taxonomy, the genus is a rank that groups together related species. A bacterial genus is composed of one or more species, and some genera even have only a single species. The species is the basic unit of classification, while the genus sits one level above it in the hierarchy. Saying the genus belongs to a species would invert the relationship, which isn’t correct. Likewise, a genus is not made up of classes or families—those are higher or different levels in the taxonomic ladder. The idea to remember is that a genus bundles together related species.

In taxonomy, the genus is a rank that groups together related species. A bacterial genus is composed of one or more species, and some genera even have only a single species. The species is the basic unit of classification, while the genus sits one level above it in the hierarchy. Saying the genus belongs to a species would invert the relationship, which isn’t correct. Likewise, a genus is not made up of classes or families—those are higher or different levels in the taxonomic ladder. The idea to remember is that a genus bundles together related species.