Answer :
Final answer:
Strains are variations within the same bacterial species that have different genetic traits, which can affect their pathogenicity or benefits to a host. For example, some strains of Escherichia coli are harmless, while others can cause illness. Thus, the correct description of bacterial strains highlights their genetic diversity within a single species.
Explanation:
Understanding Bacterial Strains
In the context of microbiology, strains refer to cells of the same species that exhibit different genetic traits. This means that strains are not different species but variations within the same species that can possess unique attributes influenced by their genetic makeup. Strains are cells of the same species with different genetic traits which could increase their pathogenicity or helpfulness to a host.
For example, the bacterium Escherichia coli has several strains that differ in their capacities to cause disease. Some strains are harmless and are part of the normal gut flora, while others, like the pathogenic strains, can lead to serious food poisoning. This indicates that while strains share the same species name, they can vary significantly in their effects on health due to genetic differences.
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