Final answer:
Lysostaphin differentiates the genus Staphylococcus from the genus Micrococcus. Staphylococcus, including S. aureus and S. epidermidis, are facultative anaerobes and catalase-positive, in contrast to Micrococcus species. The catalase test further assists in differentiating Staphylococcus from Streptococcus, as the latter are catalase-negative.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lysostaphin is used to differentiate the genus Staphylococcus from genus Micrococcus (option a). The bacteria in both genera are cocci in shape, but they display different physiological and biochemical characteristics.
Staphylococcus species are facultative anaerobes, halophilic, and nonmotile. The most well-known species are S. epidermidis and S. aureus. Micrococcus species, represented by Micrococcus luteus, differ in their response to various tests. The catalase test is one method to differentiate Staphylococcus from Streptococcus, with the former being catalase-positive and the latter catalase-negative. Given that lysostaphin is effective against Staphylococcus species and not Micrococcus, it serves as a tool for differentiation.