Exercise 4: THE UBIQUITY OF MICROORGANISMS

BACKGROUND Microorganisms are found everywhere in the environment and in our bodies. Even the most unlikely places on earth like thermal vents, the saltiest seas and the coldest regions harbor microorganisms too small to be seen by the naked eye. Only the inner, healthy tissues of plants and animals are free of microorganisms. In this exercise, you will examine samples of microorganisms found in your surroundings and in your body parts and will attempt to grow them in laboratory media. OBJECTIVES After completing this exercise you should be able to: 1. realize the ubiquity of microorganisms; and 2. learn how microorganisms are grown in the laboratory. MATERIALS Nutrient agar (NA) in 300 or 500 ml E. flask Potato Dextrose agar (PDA) in 300 or 500 mL flask Sterile plates (Petri dishes) Sterile swabs Sterile water (about 5 mL per tube) Test tube rack Beaker of disinfectant PROCEDURE 1. For every group, obtain three sterile plates for NA and three sterile plates for PDA media. Pour aseptically as demonstrated by the instructor. Let the media solidify before proceeding to step no. 2. 2. Using a waterproof marker, divide the NA plates in quarters with 2 lines on the back of the Petri dish. 3. Inoculate the NA plate with samples from your body. Moisten a sterile swab with sterile water and rub it on your skin and then on one of the quadrants. Label each quadrant with your source of inoculum. Place all used swabs in a beaker of disinfectant. 4. Expose the PDA plates in different areas inside and outside the laboratory for about 1 h. 5. Incubate the NA plates upside down at 37OC for 24 h and the PDA plates (also upside down) at room temperature for 5 days. Plates are incubated upside down to prevent condensed moisture on the lid from dripping on the agar below. The added moisture would cause colonies of bacteria to merge (hence separate colonies are not produced). After 24 h, refrigerate the NA plates to prevent the bacterial colonies from expanding.

Modified from: Mabugay EC. ___. Compilation of Exercises in General Microbiology (Bi 145). Department of Biology, Ateneo de Manila University.

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Exercise 4 THE UBIQUITY OF MICROORGANISMS

Group: Section: Date:

RESULTS/OBSERVATIONS

NA plate (Attach picture)

PDA plate (Attach picture)

QUESTIONS 1. What microorganisms may be harbored by the human body and may be found in the air or in the environment around us?

2. How come not all species of bacteria and fungi can grow on NA and PDA, respectively?

3. Why are NA and PDA plates incubated at 37OC and at room temperature, respectively?