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Linear Synthesis Essay

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On the first day of testing, a gram stain test, a KOH test, a catalase test, and an oxidase test were completed. The gram stain test indicated that the unknown species is a gram positive rod, and the bacteria showed no strings during the KOH test confirming that the species is gram positive. From these two tests, the unknown was concluded to be in the family Bacillicae. The bacteria remained yellow on the cotton swab even after the oxidase reagent was dropped onto the swab showing that the bacteria is oxidase negative. For the second day of testing, the bacteria were inoculated on an SBA plate, and the analysis of this plate was difficult. The result of the SBA plate was difficult to discern, and it was unclear if the bacteria completed beta hemolysis or alpha hemolysis. Therefore, an additional SBA test needed to be completed, and with this second test it was more obvious that the SBA plate underwent alpha hemolysis. The SBA result showing negative beta hemolysis, along with the negative result from the oxidase test, indicated that Bacillus cereus was not the identity of the unknown. At the same time that the SBA hemolysis test was undergone, the inoculation of an MSA plate at 37 degrees for 24 hours was also completed. There was yellow growth on the MSA plate indicating that it could grow at 7.5% NaCl and ferment mannitol.

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