Growing Microorganisms in Culture Flashcards

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In biology, what does it mean to grow microorganisms in culture?

It means growing large numbers of microorganisms on a nutrient medium under controlled conditions in a lab.

What is a culture medium?

A culture medium is a nutrient-rich material that microorganisms grow on or in, such as nutrient broth or agar jelly.

What is agar jelly and why is it useful for growing bacteria?

Agar jelly is a firm gel that contains nutrients and water, and it gives bacteria a solid surface to grow on as colonies.

What is the difference between nutrient broth and an agar plate?

Nutrient broth is a liquid medium where microbes make the liquid go cloudy, while an agar plate is a solid medium where microbes form visible colonies on the surface.

What is a colony of bacteria on an agar plate?

A colony is a visible patch or dot made from many bacteria that have all grown from a single starting cell.

What conditions do microorganisms usually need to grow in culture?

They need nutrients, warmth, water and, for many species, oxygen.

What is an incubator used for when growing microorganisms in culture?

An incubator keeps cultures at a steady, warm temperature to help microorganisms grow well.

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

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

What does it mean to inoculate an agar plate?

To inoculate an agar plate means to transfer a small number of microorganisms onto the agar so they can grow.

What are the basic steps in setting up an agar plate culture?

Pour sterile agar into a Petri dish and let it set, add (inoculate with) the microorganisms, then seal the lid and incubate the plate at a suitable temperature.

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