Identification of Bacterial Species

Abstract:

Students are introduced to the streaking technique to isolate colonies from a mixed liquid bacteria culture and to several standard microbiological identification tests. The morphology of isolated colonies and the morphology and Gram stain reaction of the cells of each colony are examined. Each cell type is examined for the ability to use glucose as a carbon source, ability to form endospores, oxygen requirements for growth, and motility using prepared micrographs. Students compare the characteristics of the cells of the mixed bacterial culture with the same set of characteristics of six bacterial species of known identity, in an attempt at an initial identification of the bacteria of the mixed culture.

Subject:

Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE)