Culturing Microorganisms

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to culturing microorganisms.

Aseptic Technique

Practices designed to prevent contamination of cultures and ensure the safety of laboratory personnel and the work environment.

Culture Media

Substances used in microbiology labs to grow microorganisms, which can be liquid or solid.

In vitro

Latin term meaning 'in glass', referring to experiments conducted outside a living organism, typically in a controlled environment.

Bacterial Growth

The increase in the number of bacteria, typically through the process of binary fission.

Binary Fission

A method of asexual reproduction where a single bacterial cell splits into two identical cells.

Enriched Medium

A type of culture medium that contains nutrients that promote the growth of fastidious organisms.

Selective Media

Culture media that contain inhibitors to selectively encourage growth of certain organisms while preventing others.

Differential Media

Culture media that allow for the differentiation of organisms based on their biological characteristics.

Incubation

The process of maintaining microbiological cultures at optimal temperature and environmental conditions for growth.

Bacterial Growth Curve

A graphical representation of the growth of a bacterial population over time, typically showing lag, log, stationary, and death phases.

Fastidious Bacteria

Bacteria with complex nutritional requirements that need specific conditions or nutrients to grow.

Obligate Intracellular Pathogens

Microbes that can only grow and multiply within living cells, such as certain bacteria and viruses.

Streak Plate Method

A laboratory technique used to isolate pure bacterial colonies by spreading a diluted microbial sample across the surface of solid culture media.

Spectrophotometer

An instrument used to measure the turbidity of a liquid culture, indicating the number of bacterial cells present.

Viable Plate Count

A method used to estimate the number of viable bacteria in a liquid sample by plating diluted samples and counting colonies.

Chemostat

A device that maintains continuous culture of microorganisms in a controlled environment by regulating nutrient supply and waste removal.

Colony

A visible mass of microorganisms, usually resulting from the division of a single parent cell.

Morphologic Changes

Alterations in the form or structure of cells caused by various factors including infection by viruses.

Biologic Safety Cabinet (BSC)

A specialized workspace designed to protect the user and the environment from contamination during microbiological procedures.