Lab 6 - Microbial Soil Testing: Day 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts, organisms, media, and methods described in the notes on soil antibiotic production, sampling, dilution protocols, and result interpretation.

Streptomyces

A genus of soil bacteria known for producing many clinically useful antibiotics.

Bacillus

A genus of soil bacteria; members produce various antibiotics.

Penicillium

A genus of mold (fungus) in soil that produces penicillin.

Cephalosporium

A mold (fungus) in soil associated with cephalosporin antibiotics.

Penicillin

An antibiotic originally discovered as produced by Penicillium mold.

Penicillinase

An enzyme produced by some bacteria that deactivates penicillin, leading to resistance.

Semi-synthetic antibiotics

Drugs created by slightly modifying existing antibiotics, e.g., adding side chains.

Ampicillin

A semi-synthetic penicillin made by adding an amino group to the penicillin R-group, giving a broader spectrum.

Methicillin

A semi-synthetic penicillin with two methoxy groups added to the phenyl group; designed to resist penicillinase.

Broader spectrum

Antibiotics that are effective against a wider range of bacteria.

R group

The side chain of penicillin that can be modified to create derivatives.

SAB plate

Sabouraud agar plate used to culture microorganisms.

GYE plate

Growth media plate used in the protocol (specific composition not detailed in notes).

TSA plate

Tryptic Soy Agar plate used for growing bacteria.

Zone of Inhibition (ZOI)

Clear area around a disk where microbial growth is inhibited by an antibiotic. Measured as diameter in mm indicating the effectiveness of the antibiotic.

S, I, R

Classification of antibiotic sensitivity: Sensitive, Intermediate, or Resistant.

Disk diffusion results

Assessment method where zones of inhibition around disks are measured and categorized.