Unknown Bacteria Week 1

Introduction

The purpose of this lab was to be able to establish proper TSA culture techniques. Learn how to Gram stain slides. Along with being able to identify the unknown bacteria using methods of testing, evaluation, and process of elimination.

Materials and methods

The instructor provided a test tube labeled S8772274699M for testing of the unknown bacteria. The first procedure was to isolate the bacteria and gain a pure culture.  Obtained by using a Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) plate. Two culture plates were produced to isolate bacterial colonies. The first streak was in a “T” method the other was done using the Lawn technique. Leaving the TSA plates for five days at room temperature allowed the bacterial colonies to grow. Upon retrieving the bacteria, the colony morphology observations were as follows: punctiform, margin entire, elevation flat, surface smooth, translucent, and red coloring. The next step was making gram staining glass slides to be able to view bacteria under a microscope. The unknown bacteria were Gram-negative, as the organisms under the microscope were pink. Continuation of this experiment to be conducted next week.  

Materials

Plates	Smear Preparation	Gram Staining
Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) plates Inoculating loop S8772274699M Broth	Glass slide Distilled water Inoculating needle Pure bacteria culture	Crystal violet Gram iodine Alcohol decolorizer Safranin Distilled water Bibulous paper