Fecal coliforms are a subset of which larger group of bacteria?

Fecal coliforms are a subset of which larger group of bacteria?

• A. Enterics
• B. Total coliforms
• C. Total coliforms and enterics
• D. Streptococci

Answer: (C)

Fecal coliforms are a specific subgroup of bacteria used as indicators of fecal pollution, and they fit inside two broader hierarchies. They are a subset of the total coliform group, since all fecal coliforms are coliforms, but not all coliforms are fecal coliforms. Those coliforms themselves belong to the broader enteric (intestinal) bacteria group, the Enterobacteriaceae family, so fecal coliforms are also a subset of that larger group. In short, they sit within total coliforms, and total coliforms sit within enterics, making them a subset of both. Streptococci are a different, non-enteric group, so they’re not appropriate here.

Fecal coliforms are a specific subgroup of bacteria used as indicators of fecal pollution, and they fit inside two broader hierarchies. They are a subset of the total coliform group, since all fecal coliforms are coliforms, but not all coliforms are fecal coliforms. Those coliforms themselves belong to the broader enteric (intestinal) bacteria group, the Enterobacteriaceae family, so fecal coliforms are also a subset of that larger group. In short, they sit within total coliforms, and total coliforms sit within enterics, making them a subset of both. Streptococci are a different, non-enteric group, so they’re not appropriate here.