Microorganisms Lab Report

An unknown bacterium was handed out by Dr. Honer. The appropriate tests were prepared and applied. The first procedure that was done was the gram stain. Under a microscope, if the gram stain is purple, the bacterium is gram positive, if the stain is red, it is gram negative. The next test was the fermentation tests for glucose, sucrose and

The purpose of this lab was to identify an unknown bacteria culture using differential tests. The identification of the unknown culture was accomplished by identifying the bacteria based on its specific metabolic characteristics and morphology. It is suggested that culture 11 is a sample of Enterobacter aerogenes.

The colonies were smooth, translucent, and had a white brownish color. The Gram stain resulted in Gram positive cocci. After the Gram stain was completed, the bacteria were streaked on a Mannitol-Salt Agar plate and a Catalase test was performed. After these test were completed a Phenol Red Dextrose Fermentation tube was inoculated, and a SIM Tube inoculated.

In the beginning of lab, we were advised to obtain a nutrient agar petri plate, which is used for the cultivation of microbes supporting growth of non-fastidious organisms. Since it contains many nutrients, a wide variety of bacteria and fungi can grow. Taking the plate,

The next step of the project included preparing a Gram stain to discover the cell shape, arrangement, and if the bacteria is gram positive or

The first result of importance was the result of the Gram stain. The observations of the unknown bacteria from the slant culture after Gram staining showed that the unknown bacteria were Gram negative bacilli (Image 1). After determining the unknown bacteria was Gram negative, an oxidase test was conducted on a sample from the slant culture. The cotton swap with the sample of bacteria did not change color when the oxidase reagent was applied, thus providing a negative result. With a negative oxidase test, further tests were conducted to determine various characteristics of the unknown bacteria. A MR-VP broth was inoculated with a sample from a slant culture of unknown bacteria. After incubation, the methyl red reagent was added to the broth, and the broth turned red, providing a positive result (Image 2). An EMB agar streak plate was inoculated with a sample from a slant culture of the unknown bacteria, and after incubation, growth was found on the plate, providing a positive result (Image 3). A Citrate agar slant was inoculated, and after incubation, growth was found on the media, providing a positive result (Image 4). A Urea agar slant was inoculated, and after incubation, the agar had changed from a peach color to a bright pink color, providing a positive result (Image 5). Using the flowchart (Figure 1) developed from the Table of Expected Results, the lab partners started at the oxidase test. Given the negative result of the oxidase test, the flowchart is

In a laboratory setting, it often becomes necessary to identify an unknown organism. In this experiment, researchers classified an unidentified bacterium based on its physical structure, colony morphology, optimal conditions and metabolic properties. A Gram stain using crystal violet, iodine, and safranin and a simple stain using methylene blue characterized the organism’s cell wall. Cultural behavior was classified by inoculating the organism onto nutrient agar and incubating it at 37° C for 48 hours, and observing its behavior, as well as using SIM medium to test for motility. Optimal growth temperature was

The purpose of this lab was to identify two unknown bacteria cultures using various differential tests. The identification of these unknown cultures was accomplished by separating and differentiating possible

Table 3 shows Gram stain results that indicated C. Freundii as a gram negative bacterium in rod shapes scattered in singles and some in pairs. Each gram stain produced the same results. The Bartholomew and Mittwer method of endospore staining indicated that C. Freundii tested negative for endospore formation. Table 4 shows the biochemical test results of the unknown and the official test results for comparison.

There are many reasons for knowing the identity of microorganisms. The reasons range from knowing the causative agent of a disease in a patient, so as to know how it can be treated, to knowing the correct microorganism to be used for making certain foods or antibiotics. This study was done by applying all of the methods that have been learned so far in the microbiology laboratory class for the identification of unknown bacteria. The identification process can be completed with a series of deferential stains and biochemical tests. Creating a dichotomous key helps to limit the amount of biochemical tests done on an unknown organism and by observation

The Gram-positive cell wall is composed of peptidoglycans, a thick layer of protein-sugar complexes taking up 60-90% of their cell wall. Peptidoglycan is composed of two glucose derivatives, N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetylglucosamine alternated and cross-linked by tetrapeptides that is composed of L-alanine, D-glutamine, L-lysine

A few different factors that affect bacterial growth are the availability of resources and nutrients, temperature and pH. (Act For Libraries) stated in the above paragraph, once the resources and nutrients are

The purpose of the lab was to use selective, differential and enriched microbiological media’s to distinguish the growth characteristics of microorganisms. A selective media was used in a mixed culture to inhibit the growth of certain microbes, but not affect the desired organisms’ growth by the use of chemicals (Duxbury, 2015). The differential media was used to differentiate between closely related organisms by using certain dyes or chemicals (Possé B., et al, 2008). The last type of media studied was an enriched media, which was supplemented with nutrients, necessary for the cultivation of fastidious organisms (Duxbury, 2015).

Selection of suitable medium for cultivation of microorganism is very important to reveal their potential ability to produce antimicrobial compounds especially antibiotics. Generally, culture media can be classified into several categories depending on their composition or use. Defined media are media composed specific amounts of pure chemical compounds with known chemical composition. Typically, they contain a simple sugar as the carbon and energy source, an inorganic nitrogen source, various mineral salts and if necessary growth factors. However, complex media contain natural compounds whose chemical composition is not exactly.known. They are usually rich in nutrients and contain water soluble extracts of plant or animal tissue such as peptone and tryptone. Compared to the defined media, complex media usually can provide the necessary growth factors, vitamins, hormones, and trace elements, often resulting in higher cell

When researching organisms of varying kinds it is very important to be able to isolate the organisms for study. The most common way to isolate and study organisms is to grow cultures of the organisms in a laboratory