A Lab Report on Microbial Growth
David Kennedy
Bio 210
Lab Report 1
10/11/13
Microbial Growth
Background Information:
This lab was conducted in order to understand basic differences among differential and selective media, while recognizing how each media is used to isolate and identify microorganisms (Wistreich, 2003). The first microorganism analyzed was Staphylococcus epidermidis. This organism is gram-positive, single celled, arranged in grape-like clusters, and cocci in shape (Bukhari, 2004). S. epidermidis is approximately 0.5 to 1.5 micrometers in diameter, it is a facultative anaerobe but grows best in aerobic conditions (Bukhari, 2004). Typical hosts of this species are humans and other warm-blooded animals, where a favorable temperature of 37℃ is usually maintained in the intestinal tract. S. epidermidis may cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and infections associated with intravascular devices such as prosthetic heart valves, shunts, etc. (Bukhari, 2004). The second microorganism that was analyzed during this procedure was Escherichia coli. E. coli is a gram-negative and bacillus (rod-shaped) bacterium, that thrives in an optimum temperature of 37℃ commonly found in the intestinal tract of humans and other mammals (Cappucino and Sherman, 2011).. It is a facultative anaerobe that is not normally pathogenic, but pathogenic strains cause UTI’s and bladder infections (SCCC, 2013). Another bacteria that was observed, was Proteus mirabilis. This microorganism is gram-negative and rod shaped. P. mirabilis is motile and “swarms” towards nutrients such as maltose (Murphy, 2004). It is a mesophile, which lives in an optimal temperature of 37℃. P. mirabilis is able to elongate itself and secrete a polysaccharide for motility on items such as medical equipment (Murphy, 2004). This organism is found in the human gastrointestinal tract, but can cause infections when in contact with the urinary tract, wounds, or lungs (Murphy, 2004). The fourth bacterium that was analyzed in this
Bio 210
Lab Report 1
10/11/13
Microbial Growth
Background Information:
This lab was conducted in order to understand basic differences among differential and selective media, while recognizing how each media is used to isolate and identify microorganisms (Wistreich, 2003). The first microorganism analyzed was Staphylococcus epidermidis. This organism is gram-positive, single celled, arranged in grape-like clusters, and cocci in shape (Bukhari, 2004). S. epidermidis is approximately 0.5 to 1.5 micrometers in diameter, it is a facultative anaerobe but grows best in aerobic conditions (Bukhari, 2004). Typical hosts of this species are humans and other warm-blooded animals, where a favorable temperature of 37℃ is usually maintained in the intestinal tract. S. epidermidis may cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and infections associated with intravascular devices such as prosthetic heart valves, shunts, etc. (Bukhari, 2004). The second microorganism that was analyzed during this procedure was Escherichia coli. E. coli is a gram-negative and bacillus (rod-shaped) bacterium, that thrives in an optimum temperature of 37℃ commonly found in the intestinal tract of humans and other mammals (Cappucino and Sherman, 2011).. It is a facultative anaerobe that is not normally pathogenic, but pathogenic strains cause UTI’s and bladder infections (SCCC, 2013). Another bacteria that was observed, was Proteus mirabilis. This microorganism is gram-negative and rod shaped. P. mirabilis is motile and “swarms” towards nutrients such as maltose (Murphy, 2004). It is a mesophile, which lives in an optimal temperature of 37℃. P. mirabilis is able to elongate itself and secrete a polysaccharide for motility on items such as medical equipment (Murphy, 2004). This organism is found in the human gastrointestinal tract, but can cause infections when in contact with the urinary tract, wounds, or lungs (Murphy, 2004). The fourth bacterium that was analyzed in this