For each of the following statements that is true, write “true” in the blank. For each statement that is false, write the word(s) that should be substituted for the underlined word(s) to make the statement correct.
__________ A giant bacterium that is large enough to be seen without a microscope is Selenomonas.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the key subject of the statement, which is the giant bacterium that can be seen without a microscope.
2. Step 2: Recall or research known examples of giant bacteria visible to the naked eye. Selenomonas is a genus of bacteria, but it is not known for being giant or visible without a microscope.
3. Step 3: Determine the correct name of a giant bacterium that fits the description. One well-known example is Epulopiscium fishelsoni, a giant bacterium visible to the naked eye.
4. Step 4: Replace the underlined word 'Selenomonas' with the correct bacterium name 'Epulopiscium' to make the statement true.
5. Step 5: Confirm that the corrected statement now accurately reflects microbiological knowledge about giant bacteria visible without a microscope.

Key Concepts

Giant Bacteria

Giant bacteria are unusually large bacterial cells visible to the naked eye, unlike typical bacteria which require a microscope. These bacteria often have unique adaptations to support their size, such as specialized internal structures.

Selenomonas Characteristics

Selenomonas is a genus of crescent-shaped, motile bacteria commonly found in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. They are relatively small and not visible without a microscope, thus not classified as giant bacteria.

Example of a Giant Bacterium: Epulopiscium

Epulopiscium is a well-known example of a giant bacterium visible to the naked eye, found in the gut of surgeonfish. It is much larger than typical bacteria and often cited when discussing bacterial size extremes.