TABLE 10.5 Taxonomic Criteria and Methods for Classifying and Identifying Bacteria Criterion or Used for Method Classification Identification Morphological No (yes for Yes characteristics cyanobacteria) Differential staining Yes (for cell Yes wall type) Biochemical testing No Yes Serology No Yes Phage typing No Yes Fatty acid profiles No Yes Flow cytometry No Yes DNA base Yes No composition DNA fingerprinting No Yes rRNA sequencing Yes No PCR Yes Yes Nucleic acid Yes Yes (DNA hybridization probes, DNA chips) Figure 10.5Figure 10.5