Experiment 1: Agar Plate Preparation and Bacterial Inoculation
Data Tables
Table 1: Experiment 1 Colony Growth
Plate Number Source Growth
(Color, Amount, Shape, etc.)
1
2
3
4
5
Post-Lab Questions
Do some research and try to identify one to three types of microbes cultured on your plates. Using any resources available to you (i.e., a textbook or internet sources such as the CDC website), look up what bacteria are usually found on the areas from which you obtained your samples and the morphological characteristics of their colonies. Describe what morphological traits (i.e., size, shape, arrangement, color, margin, etc.) led to your hypothesized species identification. Be as specific as possible in the microbe type.
For the colonies hypothesized in Question 1, specify which plate and source the microbes came from. Are you surprised to find this type of microbe on this surface?
Looking at your control, did you perform proper aseptic technique or were your plates contaminated? If contamination did occur, list the possible sources and how you can prevent contamination in the future.