De La Salle University - Dasmarias

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND COMPUTER STUDIES

ELGA In Microbiology Laboratory:

Identification of Unknown
Bacteria Lab Report

Submitted By:
Lomeda, Rocel Mae M.
Limcaco, Isabelle Victoria

Submitted to:
Ms. Olgga A. Hara
INTRODUCTION

Trillions of bacteria inhabit the Earth, with some of them classified and some of

them yet to be discovered. Often scientists work with bacteria that do not come in a labeled test

tube, like for example, bacterial samples taken from infected human tissue or from the soil, and

they must then identify the unknown microorganism in order to understand what behavior to

expect from it, such as a certain type of infection or antibiotic resistance. However, because of the

fewer forms of bacteria compared to animals, and because of the lack of bacterial fossil records

due to their asexually reproductive nature, the taxonomy used to classify animals cannot be applied

to bacteria (Brown 275). In order to classify unknown bacteria, a variety of physiological and

metabolic tests are available to narrow a sample down from the fathomless number of possibilities

into a more manageable range. Once these tests have been performed, the researcher can consult

with a systematically arranged and continually updated collection of all known bacteria based on

their structure, metabolism, and other attributes.

The process of identifying bacteria is like solving a mystery; all requiring is to identify the

clues. Each clue will offer possibility to solve the puzzle. Bacteria were among the first life forms

on Earth and are present all around from the bottom of the ocean to inside the human body. Bacteria

come in all shapes and sizes. Although only a few micrometers in length, bacteria can still be

examined through the use of a simple light microscope. The varying characteristics of bacteria

play a crucial function in their identification (Hogan, 2010).

There are multiple laboratory techniques such as streak isolation, Gram staining, Catalase,

or Simmons Citrate that can be used to identify a bacteria. For example, Gram staining determines

the composition of the cell wall to figure out whether it is Gram positive or Gram negative. Tests

such as Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) and Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) will indicate a particular
condition a bacteria will favor based on the presence of or lack of a color change. Many other

tests can be performed and throughout the process each test will produce a result which will lead

to the discover of the bacteria type.

The goal of this report is to identify unknown bacteria using a series of tests while

eliminating unlikely choices. One test tube has been provided with a mixture a Gram positive and

a Gram negative bacteria. A list of possible bacteria was provided by the professor and one needs

to be identified.

RESULTS

Table 1 Gram Stain Test Results

Gram Stain Simple Stain

Observations cells appeared purple Cells appeared in a rod
shape
Result Gram-positive Bacillus
Table 1 shows the observations and results we came up with for the unknown bacteria.
The Gram stain was performed several times to insure accuracy.

Figure 1 Basic Shapes of Bacteria

Figure 1 shows the different forms of most bacteria. Our bacterium looks somewhat
similar to a cluster of cocci, meaning the just one bacterium by itself is a coccus.
Figure 2 Shapes of Bacteria in Clusters or Groups

Figure 2 shows the names of clustered bacteria, or bacteria in groups. The unknown
bacterium appears to take the Bacillus since it is seen in rod-shape.

Figure 3 Actual Picture of the Bacteria

References:

C.Michael Hogan. 2010. Bacteria. Encyclopedia of Earth. eds. Sidney Draggan and
C.J.Cleveland, National Council for Science and the Environment, Washington DC

Brown, Alfred E. Bensons Microbiological Applications: Laboratory Manual in General

Microbiology, Short Version, Eleventh Edition. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,
2009. Print.

"Bacteria." Microbiology Online. Society for General Microbiology. Web. 05.20. 2017
<http://www.microbiologyonline.org.uk/about-microbiology/introducing-microbes/bacteria>