Exercise 3: Transfer of Bacteria

Question 1

What term is used for the introduction of microorganisms into a culture medium?

Answer 1

inoculation

Question 2

What is aseptic technique?

Answer 2

The transfer of culture or media without contamination by unwanted organisms.

Question 3

How do you know when microbes grow in a broth medium?

Answer 3

It becomes cloudy.

Question 4

What are characteristics of agar slants?

Answer 4

They provide a large aerated surface for microbes to grow in and do not dry out quickly allowing cultures to be kept for extended periods of time.

Question 5

What are characteristics of agar deeps?

Answer 5

Oxygen does not diffuse into the agar easily allowing ideal environments for anaerobic microorganisms.

Question 6

What are characteristics of agar plates?

Answer 6

They provide large surface area to grow and visualize microbes, but they dry out very quickly. They must be incubated “agar side up” to prevent condensation from dripping down onto the agar surface.

Question 7

What needs to be included in the labeling of samples?

Answer 7

Student initials, seat #, and organism name.