Microbiology Lab Experiment 3 (pre-lab #2)

Aseptic technique

methods that allow isolation and transfer of microorganisms without contamination of culture from outside sources or contamination of the outside environment with the culture

Colony

A visible cluster of cells on the surface of solid medium

Contamination

The presence of undesired organisms in a culture

Culture

Microbes that have been cultivated in vitro

Efficiency of plating (EOP)

The probability that a single cell will form a colony

Rich (complex) medium

A mixture of chemicals which are not fully defined that supports growth of cells. Often includes extracts of cells or tissues, such as beef extract yeast exttract or soy extract

Minimal (defined) medium

A growth medium with defined chemical components that supports growth of cells

Pure culture

A culture which contains only one type of microoganismS

Sterilization

A chemical or physical treatment which kills all cells

Turbidity

The light scattering due to particles (such as bacteria) in suspension

Viable

Alive