Microbiology Lab Techniques

Questions and Answers

To observe and count the growth of microorganisms.

To protect the user and the environment from contamination.

To prepare a series of solutions with decreasing concentrations of a substance, typically a microorganism.

To estimate the number of microorganisms present in a sample. Signup and view all the answers

To estimate the number of microorganisms present in a sample. Signup and view all the answers

To provide a suitable environment for the growth of microorganisms. Signup and view all the answers

Gram staining Signup and view all the answers

The ability of microorganisms to move spontaneously and actively in their environment. Signup and view all the answers

To identify and characterize microorganisms based on their metabolic activities. Signup and view all the answers

A specific strain or subspecies of a microorganism. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Inoculating agar plates involves introducing microorganisms onto a solid growth medium to observe and count their growth
The agar plate is first sterilized and then inoculated with a small amount of microorganisms, followed by incubation under appropriate conditions
Inoculating broths is a method of introducing microorganisms into a liquid growth medium for observation and counting their growth
Sterilization of the broth and inoculation with a small amount of microorganisms are followed by incubation under appropriate conditions

Laboratory hoods are ventilated workspaces designed to protect the user and the environment from contamination
Hoods are used when working with potentially hazardous materials, such as microorganisms or chemicals

Serial dilution is a method of preparing a series of solutions with decreasing concentrations of a substance, typically a microorganism
Serial dilutions are used to determine the initial concentration of a microorganism in a sample or to prepare dilutions of a microorganism for use in experiments
Plate counts estimate the number of microorganisms present on a solid growth medium, such as an agar plate
The method involves incubating the plate, making a dilution of the medium, and plating it onto a new agar plate, with the number of colonies formed used to estimate the number of microorganisms in the original sample
The most probable number method estimates the number of microorganisms present in a sample through serial dilution

Agar plates are solid growth media used for the cultivation, maintenance, and observation of microorganisms
Agar is a polysaccharide derived from seaweed, dissolved in a liquid nutrient broth, and poured onto a petri dish containing a solid agar base
Grams staining is a method of staining bacteria that allows differentiation based on their cell wall structure
Motility refers to the ability of microorganisms to move spontaneously and actively in their environment
Biochemical tests identify and characterize microorganisms based on their metabolic activities
Serotype refers to the specific strain or subspecies of a microorganism