Strains

In biology, a strain is a low-level taxonomic rank used at the intraspecific level (within a species). Strains are often seen as inherently artificial concepts, characterized by a specific intent for genetic isolation.^[1] This is most easily observed in microbiology where strains are derived from a single cell colony and are typically quarantined by the physical constraints of a Petri dish. Strains are also commonly referred to within virology, botany, and with rodents used in experimental studies.