Final answer:
Groups or clusters of bacteria studied in laboratories are called microcolonies. The colonial morphology involves examining a colony's size, shape, margin, texture, and color, which varies depending on the species. Microbiota refers to all microorganisms found within a particular environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Groups or clusters of bacteria taken for laboratory study are called microcolonies. In the context of bacterial studies, when referencing specifically isolated groups or clusters for examination or incubation in a laboratory setup, the term microcolonies is often employed. Identifying bacteria often begins with the examination of colonial morphology, which is the appearance of bacteria grown into visible colonies on an agar plate or slant.
Colonial morphology includes the study of the overall size, shape or form, and the edge or margin of the colony. Textural characteristics and color are also considered when looking at the bacterial growth. For example, when examining the colonial morphology of Micrococcus luteus on a TSA plate, one would be describing these specific features of the colonies that arose from the bacteria.
Microbiota refers to all of the microorganisms found within a specific environment, not just those involved in a symbiotic relationship or of the same species. While examining bacteria, phrasing such as 'microbiota of the human gut' may be used to talk about all microorganisms present in that particular habitat.