True or False: Enterobacteriaceae refers to bacteria that do not ferment lactose.

The statement is false because Enterobacteriaceae is a family of bacteria that includes both lactose fermenters and non-fermenters. Members of this family, such as Escherichia coli, are well-known for their ability to ferment lactose, producing gas and acid as byproducts. This characteristic is significant in clinical laboratories, where lactose fermentation can help differentiate between various coliforms and non-coliforms.

Other genera within Enterobacteriaceae, such as Salmonella and Shigella, do not ferment lactose, but this is not true for all members of the family. Therefore, saying that Enterobacteriaceae refers to bacteria that do not ferment lactose is misleading, as it ignores the diversity within this group regarding lactose fermentation abilities. This nuance in microbiology is crucial for accurate identification and understanding of bacterial characteristics.