Culturing Microorganisms Flashcards

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What does 'culturing microorganisms' mean in biology?

It means growing large numbers of microorganisms, such as bacteria, in the lab on a nutrient medium.

What is an agar plate and why is it used to grow microorganisms?

An agar plate is a Petri dish filled with agar jelly that contains nutrients. It provides food and a surface for microorganisms to grow on.

Name three conditions that help bacteria grow well in culture.

They need a warm temperature, moisture, and a supply of nutrients (food).

Why must we keep cultures of microorganisms uncontaminated?

To make sure we only grow the chosen microorganism, and to avoid growing harmful microbes by accident.

Give two ways to reduce contamination when preparing an agar plate.

Sterilise equipment, such as the inoculating loop, and keep the lid of the Petri dish closed as much as possible.

Why are school cultures of microorganisms usually incubated at about 25 °C and not at 37 °C?

25 °C is warm enough for growth but cooler than body temperature, so it reduces the chance of growing dangerous human pathogens.

What is a bacterial colony on an agar plate?

It is a visible clump of millions of bacteria that have grown from a single starting cell.

How can agar plates be used to test the effect of antibiotics or antiseptics?

Paper discs soaked in different antibiotics or antiseptics are placed on the agar, and the plate is incubated to see how well they stop bacterial growth.

What is a clear zone around an antibiotic disc, and what does a larger clear zone show?

A clear zone is an area with no bacterial growth around the disc. A larger clear zone shows that the antibiotic is more effective against that bacterium.

How do bacteria reproduce when they are growing in culture?

They divide by binary fission, where one bacterial cell splits into two identical cells.

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