SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Laboratory Exercise # 7: Aseptic Technique

Purpose:

        The purpose of this laboratory exercise is to acquaint the student with the procedures
of aseptic transfer of microbiological cultures.

Introduction:

        In order for a microbiologist to identify a bacterium to genus (first name) and
species (second name) the bacterium must be in the form of a pure culture. Unfortunately,
bacteria in their natural environment are always found in close association with other
microorganisms.

         A pure culture may be obtained by two different methods: pour plate and the streak
plate method. This exercise will instruct the students in the “Four Quadrant Streak Plate
Method”. To isolate a pure culture of bacteria one must first have a sterile media/agar plate.
To be sterile means that the media is devoid of any live organisms, such as bacteria. The
sterile media is streaked with the bacteria using a method that dilutes the number of bacteria
as you proceed through the streaking technique. Upon completion of the proper technique
and the incubation of the plate, individual colonies should be observable on the plate.

         Colonies are formed by a single bacterium setting onto the agar and starting to
utilize the nutrients within the media. The bacterium uses the media as a nutritional
foundation for replication. Within 24 hours, a colony will appear on the agar that is
macroscopically observable. Each individual colony represents a single bacterium that has
replicated at this location and has approximately several hundred bacterial cells within it.

        Finally in order to maintain a pure culture, we must use a method of transferring
bacteria from one media to the next without contaminating it with other bacteria. Aseptically
transferring bacteria from one media source to another is essential. The student will learn
techniques that enable them to transfer bacteria from one medium to another without
contaminating the culture.

Materials:

Trypticase soy agar plates of the following:

       Bacillus subtilis                       Escherichia coli

       Staphylococcus epidermidis              Serratia marcescens

       Pseudomonas aeruginosa                  Micrococcus luteus

Trypticase soy agar slant, TSA plate and Motility Test Medium - 1/student
Inoculating loop
Inoculating needle
Bunsen burner
                                               1
Procedure: Day # 1

1. The student will select one of the following microorganisms to demonstrate aseptic
transfer:

        Bacillus subtilis                       Escherichia coli

        Staphylococcus epidermidis              Serratia marcescens

        Pseudomonas aeruginosa                  Micrococcus luteus


2. Using the methods shown in the following diagrams, aseptically inoculate your selected
microorganism to the following media:

        Trypticase Soy agar slant

        Motility Test Medium

        Trypticase Soy Agar Plate


3. Incubate all tubes and plates at 37°C, except for those of Serratia, which are incubated at
room temperature, until the next laboratory period. Remember petri dishes must be
stored inverted to prevent condensing water from falling on the growing colonies and
causing them to run together.

4. Start Gram stains of each of the bacteria used within this exercise. Eventually you will
complete six (6) stains, but not all of them need to be completed today.

Procedure Day # 2

1. Observe the Motility Test medium tube and record results for each bacterium in the Data
Area provided.

2. Observe the results of the agar slant media and record pigment results only for each
bacteria in the Data Area provided.

3. Record Colonial morphology results from the Trypticase Soy agar plates in the Data
Chart provided. Make sure to use a single, well isolated colony for your observations.

4. Complete gram stains on all six bacteria and record your results in the Data Chart
provided.




                                               2
Laboratory # 7: Aseptic Technique
                 Fig. 7-A
Inoculation of Motility Test Medium




              Fig 7-B
    Inoculation of an agar slant




                 3
Fig. 7-C
                               Inoculation of an agar plate


               I                                              II




                                                              I

       Streak the culture back and forth              Rotate the plate 90° and touch
       In quadrant I. Flame loop.                     Loop in an uninoculated area
                                                      to cool it. Streak second
                                                      quadrant. Then flame loop.

                   III                                               III


                                                                                       IV

                                                              II

       II

                         I                                                     I

       Rotate plate 90°. Cool loop.                           After cooling the loop. Streak
       Streak the third quadrant.                             the fourth quadrant making
       Flame the loop.                                        sure not to enter the first
                                                              quadrant




A practice plate: Practice streaking technique using a pencil on this plate, before trying to
streak on real media. Remember to use a loop and a light touch on the media so as to not
dig up the agar (Please do not turn the agar plate into confetti!).




                                              4
Data: Each student is responsible for all six microorganisms.

1. Describe the pigment of the growth in each of the slant tubes.


       Bacillus subtilis:              _____________________________

       Escherichia coli:               _____________________________

       Micrococcus luteus:             _____________________________

       Pseudomonas aeruginosa:         _____________________________

       Serratia marcescens:            _____________________________

       Staphylococcus epidermidis: _____________________________



2. Draw and describe the growth seen in each of the Motility Test Medium tubes. Label each
of the drawings as to whether the microorganism is motile or non-motile.




       Bacillus subtilis                               Escherichia coli

       ______________                                  _______________




       Staphylococcus epidermidis                      Serratia marcescens

       ________________________                        _________________




       Pseudomonas aeruginosa                            Micrococcus luteus

       ____________________                            ___________________

                                              5
3. Fill in the following chart on the colonial characteristics of each of the 6 microorganisms.

 Characteristic                       Bacillus subtilis                    Micrococcus luteus
 Form of colony
 Elevation
 Margin
 Surface
 Pigmentation
 Gram Stain


 Characteristics                       Escherichia coli                Staphylococcus epidermidis
 Form of colony
 Elevation
 Margin
 Surface
 Pigmentation
 Gram stain


 Characteristics                     Pseudomonas aeruginosa             Serratia marcescens
 Form of colony
 Elevation
 Margin
 Surface
 Pigmentation
 Gram stain
Questions:

1. Explain the technique of streak plate isolation.

2. What part of the flame is the best part to use to sterilize an inoculating loop or needle?

3. Explain how a motile microorganism looks when it grows in a Motility Test Medium
culture.

4. Why was the Serratia marcescens incubated at room temperature and not at 37°C?
                                               6

More Related Content

DOCX
Lab Report: Isolation of Pure Culture, Gram-staining, and Microscopic Observa...
PDF
bacterial different staining technique
DOC
Practical lab 2-dr saleh
PDF
ALISHA PS 1 FINAL REPORT - Copy
DOCX
Ib biology bread mold lab lee
PPTX
DOCX
Exp1 microbial growth
PDF
Micro lab book 07
Lab Report: Isolation of Pure Culture, Gram-staining, and Microscopic Observa...
bacterial different staining technique
Practical lab 2-dr saleh
ALISHA PS 1 FINAL REPORT - Copy
Ib biology bread mold lab lee
Exp1 microbial growth
Micro lab book 07

What's hot (6)

PPT
Chapter 3 tools of the laboratory e mail
PDF
Ilovemicrobiology!!!!!! Ilana kovach
PPTX
PPTX
Gram staining
PPTX
Isolation & Identification of Microorganism
PDF
2003 pharmaceutical microbiology lab manual
Chapter 3 tools of the laboratory e mail
Ilovemicrobiology!!!!!! Ilana kovach
Gram staining
Isolation & Identification of Microorganism
2003 pharmaceutical microbiology lab manual
Ad

Viewers also liked (10)

PPT
Diagnosis of important bacterial diseases
PPTX
Diagnostic microbiology.
PPT
6 laboratory diagnosis of bacterial infection
PPTX
Lab diagnosis of bacterial infections
PPTX
Identification And Differentiation Of Microorganisms
PPTX
Biochemical test of bacteria
PPTX
Laboratory diagnosis of bacteria
PPT
Biochemical identification of bacteria
PPTX
identification of bacteria
PPT
Identification of bacteria, Bacterial identification, Lab identification of b...
Diagnosis of important bacterial diseases
Diagnostic microbiology.
6 laboratory diagnosis of bacterial infection
Lab diagnosis of bacterial infections
Identification And Differentiation Of Microorganisms
Biochemical test of bacteria
Laboratory diagnosis of bacteria
Biochemical identification of bacteria
identification of bacteria
Identification of bacteria, Bacterial identification, Lab identification of b...
Ad

Similar to Laboratory exercise vii micro (20)

PDF
Bacterial staining techniques
PPTX
Micro lab 3
PPTX
Application of streaking
PDF
MIC428L Lab Manual Winter 2015
PPTX
Methods of microbiolgy
PDF
Method of isolation and preservation of pure culture.pdf
PDF
3 cytology
DOCX
Lab manual 2009
PDF
Observation Of Water In Sycamore Creek
PPTX
Exercise 12.pptx
DOCX
PPTX
Pure culture techniques
PPT
cluture medis bacteria fungi isolation petri
PPTX
The Streak plate method,
PDF
1-introductionbacteria
PPTX
Micro lab 3,2
DOC
Onion and cheek cell lab
PPTX
Bacterial staining.pptx
PPT
Bakt khf kgiykfif khvyfyu khgfut gfutd.ppt
PDF
Isolation techinques for microoorganisms in microbiology
Bacterial staining techniques
Micro lab 3
Application of streaking
MIC428L Lab Manual Winter 2015
Methods of microbiolgy
Method of isolation and preservation of pure culture.pdf
3 cytology
Lab manual 2009
Observation Of Water In Sycamore Creek
Exercise 12.pptx
Pure culture techniques
cluture medis bacteria fungi isolation petri
The Streak plate method,
1-introductionbacteria
Micro lab 3,2
Onion and cheek cell lab
Bacterial staining.pptx
Bakt khf kgiykfif khvyfyu khgfut gfutd.ppt
Isolation techinques for microoorganisms in microbiology

Recently uploaded (20)

PDF
WKA #29: "FALLING FOR CUPID" TRANSCRIPT.pdf
PDF
WKA? #29.5: "HELLO NURSE" TRANSCRIPT.pdf
PDF
Best IPTV Service Providers in the UK (2025) – Honest Reviews & Top Picks
PPTX
G.A.M.E. O.N.! (General — Art — Mythology — Entertainment — Obscure Naata) [2...
DOCX
Avtub The Digital Platform_ Revolutionizing Content Sharing and Digital Conne...
PPTX
Introduction to NGO’s098765789709876.pptx
PPTX
Other Dance Forms - G10 MAPEH Reporting.pptx
PDF
WKA #29: "FALLING FOR CUPID" TRANSCRIPT.pdf
PPTX
Hacking Movie – Best Films on Cybercrime & Digital Intrigue
PDF
What is Rotoscoping Best Software for Rotoscoping in 2025.pdf
PPTX
What Makes an Entertainment App Addictive?
PDF
WKA #29: "FALLING FOR CUPID" TRANSCRIPT.pdf
PDF
CityofHorror_v1.1.pdf manual en español i
PDF
Gess1025.pdfdadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
PDF
Watch Eddington (2025) – A Town Torn in Two
PPTX
The Pearl - project of Advanced Reading course
DOC
NSCAD毕业证学历认证,温哥华岛大学毕业证国外证书制作申请
PDF
Western Pop Music: From Classics to Chart-Toppers
PDF
Hip Hop Culture – More Than Just Music & Style
DOC
UNG毕业证学历认证,阿莱恩特国际大学毕业证文凭证书
WKA #29: "FALLING FOR CUPID" TRANSCRIPT.pdf
WKA? #29.5: "HELLO NURSE" TRANSCRIPT.pdf
Best IPTV Service Providers in the UK (2025) – Honest Reviews & Top Picks
G.A.M.E. O.N.! (General — Art — Mythology — Entertainment — Obscure Naata) [2...
Avtub The Digital Platform_ Revolutionizing Content Sharing and Digital Conne...
Introduction to NGO’s098765789709876.pptx
Other Dance Forms - G10 MAPEH Reporting.pptx
WKA #29: "FALLING FOR CUPID" TRANSCRIPT.pdf
Hacking Movie – Best Films on Cybercrime & Digital Intrigue
What is Rotoscoping Best Software for Rotoscoping in 2025.pdf
What Makes an Entertainment App Addictive?
WKA #29: "FALLING FOR CUPID" TRANSCRIPT.pdf
CityofHorror_v1.1.pdf manual en español i
Gess1025.pdfdadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Watch Eddington (2025) – A Town Torn in Two
The Pearl - project of Advanced Reading course
NSCAD毕业证学历认证,温哥华岛大学毕业证国外证书制作申请
Western Pop Music: From Classics to Chart-Toppers
Hip Hop Culture – More Than Just Music & Style
UNG毕业证学历认证,阿莱恩特国际大学毕业证文凭证书

Laboratory exercise vii micro

  • 1. Laboratory Exercise # 7: Aseptic Technique Purpose: The purpose of this laboratory exercise is to acquaint the student with the procedures of aseptic transfer of microbiological cultures. Introduction: In order for a microbiologist to identify a bacterium to genus (first name) and species (second name) the bacterium must be in the form of a pure culture. Unfortunately, bacteria in their natural environment are always found in close association with other microorganisms. A pure culture may be obtained by two different methods: pour plate and the streak plate method. This exercise will instruct the students in the “Four Quadrant Streak Plate Method”. To isolate a pure culture of bacteria one must first have a sterile media/agar plate. To be sterile means that the media is devoid of any live organisms, such as bacteria. The sterile media is streaked with the bacteria using a method that dilutes the number of bacteria as you proceed through the streaking technique. Upon completion of the proper technique and the incubation of the plate, individual colonies should be observable on the plate. Colonies are formed by a single bacterium setting onto the agar and starting to utilize the nutrients within the media. The bacterium uses the media as a nutritional foundation for replication. Within 24 hours, a colony will appear on the agar that is macroscopically observable. Each individual colony represents a single bacterium that has replicated at this location and has approximately several hundred bacterial cells within it. Finally in order to maintain a pure culture, we must use a method of transferring bacteria from one media to the next without contaminating it with other bacteria. Aseptically transferring bacteria from one media source to another is essential. The student will learn techniques that enable them to transfer bacteria from one medium to another without contaminating the culture. Materials: Trypticase soy agar plates of the following: Bacillus subtilis Escherichia coli Staphylococcus epidermidis Serratia marcescens Pseudomonas aeruginosa Micrococcus luteus Trypticase soy agar slant, TSA plate and Motility Test Medium - 1/student Inoculating loop Inoculating needle Bunsen burner 1
  • 2. Procedure: Day # 1 1. The student will select one of the following microorganisms to demonstrate aseptic transfer: Bacillus subtilis Escherichia coli Staphylococcus epidermidis Serratia marcescens Pseudomonas aeruginosa Micrococcus luteus 2. Using the methods shown in the following diagrams, aseptically inoculate your selected microorganism to the following media: Trypticase Soy agar slant Motility Test Medium Trypticase Soy Agar Plate 3. Incubate all tubes and plates at 37°C, except for those of Serratia, which are incubated at room temperature, until the next laboratory period. Remember petri dishes must be stored inverted to prevent condensing water from falling on the growing colonies and causing them to run together. 4. Start Gram stains of each of the bacteria used within this exercise. Eventually you will complete six (6) stains, but not all of them need to be completed today. Procedure Day # 2 1. Observe the Motility Test medium tube and record results for each bacterium in the Data Area provided. 2. Observe the results of the agar slant media and record pigment results only for each bacteria in the Data Area provided. 3. Record Colonial morphology results from the Trypticase Soy agar plates in the Data Chart provided. Make sure to use a single, well isolated colony for your observations. 4. Complete gram stains on all six bacteria and record your results in the Data Chart provided. 2
  • 3. Laboratory # 7: Aseptic Technique Fig. 7-A Inoculation of Motility Test Medium Fig 7-B Inoculation of an agar slant 3
  • 4. Fig. 7-C Inoculation of an agar plate I II I Streak the culture back and forth Rotate the plate 90° and touch In quadrant I. Flame loop. Loop in an uninoculated area to cool it. Streak second quadrant. Then flame loop. III III IV II II I I Rotate plate 90°. Cool loop. After cooling the loop. Streak Streak the third quadrant. the fourth quadrant making Flame the loop. sure not to enter the first quadrant A practice plate: Practice streaking technique using a pencil on this plate, before trying to streak on real media. Remember to use a loop and a light touch on the media so as to not dig up the agar (Please do not turn the agar plate into confetti!). 4
  • 5. Data: Each student is responsible for all six microorganisms. 1. Describe the pigment of the growth in each of the slant tubes. Bacillus subtilis: _____________________________ Escherichia coli: _____________________________ Micrococcus luteus: _____________________________ Pseudomonas aeruginosa: _____________________________ Serratia marcescens: _____________________________ Staphylococcus epidermidis: _____________________________ 2. Draw and describe the growth seen in each of the Motility Test Medium tubes. Label each of the drawings as to whether the microorganism is motile or non-motile. Bacillus subtilis Escherichia coli ______________ _______________ Staphylococcus epidermidis Serratia marcescens ________________________ _________________ Pseudomonas aeruginosa Micrococcus luteus ____________________ ___________________ 5
  • 6. 3. Fill in the following chart on the colonial characteristics of each of the 6 microorganisms. Characteristic Bacillus subtilis Micrococcus luteus Form of colony Elevation Margin Surface Pigmentation Gram Stain Characteristics Escherichia coli Staphylococcus epidermidis Form of colony Elevation Margin Surface Pigmentation Gram stain Characteristics Pseudomonas aeruginosa Serratia marcescens Form of colony Elevation Margin Surface Pigmentation Gram stain Questions: 1. Explain the technique of streak plate isolation. 2. What part of the flame is the best part to use to sterilize an inoculating loop or needle? 3. Explain how a motile microorganism looks when it grows in a Motility Test Medium culture. 4. Why was the Serratia marcescens incubated at room temperature and not at 37°C? 6