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Unknown Microbiology Report

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The purpose of the following study is to determine where the two unknown bacteria acquired in Microbiology lab should be classified in regards to temperature, pH level, and osmoregularity. It is important to classify bacteria in order to identify them. Identification of bacteria is important because they are not only useful but potentially dangerous as well. The identification of bacteria can lead to breakthroughs in healthcare regarding treatment of old and new diseases alike. Identifying bacteria can also be used in many other areas from better crop production through microbial pesticides to biological warfare. Their uses are endless as are their abilities to evolve and adapt to changing environments. That is why it is so important …show more content…

For the temperature test each bacteria was placed on a nutrient agar and incubated for either 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 degrees Celsius for 48 hours. During the pH test, each organism was placed on four agars varying in pH level from pH 2, 4, 6 and 8 and incubated near 37 degrees Celsius for 48 hours. For the osmotic pressure test, each organism was placed on four agars one each containing 2%, 5%, 8%, and 11% NaCl concentration levels. These were incubated near 37 degrees Celsius for 48 hours. The results of the tests are recorded in Tables 1, 2, and 3. All tests were performed according to the instructions provided in Leboffe & Pierce(1). The biochemical tests used on both unknowns and the ubiquity are:
1. Temperature
2. Osmolarity
3. pH
Results:
Table 1 The Effect of Temperature on Microbial Growth
Organism 10 degrees Celsius 20 degrees Celsius 30 degrees Celsius 40 degrees Celsius 50 degrees Celsius Classification
Uninoculated Culture NG NG NG NG NG
UK-R 1 6 7 4 NG Mesophile
UK-W 1 5 6 4 2 Mesophile
UB-1 4 4 5 3 NG Mesophile

Table 2 The Effect of pH on Microbial Growth
Organism pH 4 pH 6 pH 8 ph 10 Classification
Uninoculated Culture NG NG NG NG
UK-R 4 7 8 4 Neutrophile
UK-W 4 6 8 4 Neutrophile
UB-1 1 2 5 3 Neutrophile

Table 3 The Effect of Osmotic Pressure on Microbial Growth
Organism 2% 5% 8% 11% Classification
Uninoculated Culture NG NG NG NG
UK-R 4 3 3 0 Non-halophile
UK-W 4 2 1 0 Non-halophile
UB-1 4 7 3 2 Halophile

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