When identifying bacteria in the laboratory, the following characteristics are used: Gram staining, shape, presence of a capsule, bonding tendency, motility, respiration, growth medium, and whether it is intra- or extracellular.

What are 3 methods used to identify bacteria?

Traits that can be valuable aids to identification are combinations of cell shape and size, gram stain reaction, acid-fast reaction, and special structures including endospores, granules, and capsules.

What are the ways to identify bacteria?

Bacteria are identified routinely by morphological and biochemical tests, supplemented as needed by specialized tests such as serotyping and antibiotic inhibition patterns. Newer molecular techniques permit species to be identified by their genetic sequences, sometimes directly from the clinical specimen.