Subtopic: Fundamentals of Biomolecules, enzyme kinetics
Question Statement:
In binomial nomenclature, the name of a bacterial strain is written with the first
letter of ___________ word(s) being capitalized.
Options:
(A) first
(B) second
(C) neither
(D) first and second
Official Answer Key:
A
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
### **Official Solution & Concept Analysis (GATE BT 2022 Q.17)**
**1. Governing Concept**:
- **Topic**: Microbiology & Binomial Nomenclature Rules
- Under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP):
- A bacterial scientific name consists of two parts: the **genus** name followed by the **specific epithet**.
- The genus name is always capitalized and italicized (or underlined when handwritten): e.g., *Escherichia*.
- The species epithet begins with a **lowercase letter** and is italicized: e.g., *coli*.
- Together: *Escherichia coli*.
**2. Option Analysis**:
- **Option (A) is CORRECT**: Genus capitalized, species epithet in lowercase, both italicized.
- **Option (B) is INCORRECT**: Species epithet must never be capitalized.
- **Option (C) is INCORRECT**: Genus cannot be lowercase.
- **Option (D) is INCORRECT**: Non-italicized plain text violates binomial formatting.
**3. Final Answer**:
- **Correct Choice**: **A**
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