Unknown Microbiology Report

The purpose of the following study is to determine where the two unknown bacteria acquired in Microbiology lab should be classified in regards to temperature, pH level, and osmoregularity. It is important to classify bacteria in order to identify them. Identification of bacteria is important because they are not only useful but potentially dangerous as well. The identification of bacteria can lead to breakthroughs in healthcare regarding treatment of old and new diseases alike. Identifying bacteria can also be used in many other areas from better crop production through microbial pesticides to biological warfare. Their uses are endless as are their abilities to evolve and adapt to changing environments. That is why it is so important to be able to identify microorganisms. This study was conducted using techniques and experiments learned in microbiology lab that were used to classify the two unknown bacteria. The two unknown bacteria were presented in a broth culture labeled unknown #15 by Connie and Desiree. The ubiquity came from a swab of the cold room used for Microbiology Lab located in Life Sciences East. Techniques such as the quadrant streak and proper use of an inoculating loop learned in class were used in this study. All procedures, unless otherwise noted, have been followed and performed exactly as stated in the laboratory manual Leboffe & Pierce(1). Using the Quadrant Streak technique the unknown and ubiquity were streaked onto a trypticase soy agar (TSA) plate. This method was performed as stated in the Leboffe & Pierce lab manual(1). The TSA plates were incubated at 30 degrees Celsius for 48 hours. This process was repeated until isolated colonies appeared. At this point cell morphology was observed and recorded. At this time the unknowns were renamed as Unknown Red (UK-R) and Unknown White (UK-W) because the pigment production was a deep red for one and a cream colored white for the other. The ubiquity was also renamed at this time as

References: 1. Leboffe, Michael J. Microbiology Laboratory Theory and Application. 2nd edition. Morton Publishing Company, 2006 2. Bergey 's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 9th ed. Edited by John G. Holt et al. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1994.