Lab 1- Media Basics/Ubiquity

2 types of media backgrounds

1. Rich/Complex Medium

2. Minimal/Defined

Rich/Complex Medium

• Has all the nutrients for most organisms to grow, not necessary quantifiable amounts

  • Nutrient, Trypticase soy, Yeast Extract (Buffer of food)

Minimal/Defined

• Has set amounts of nutrients, usually used to grow specific types of organisms

3 Media States

1. Broth

2. Solid

3. Semi-solid

Broth

Liquid that lacks solidifying agent

Solid

Contains the solidifying agent agar (makes it hard like jello) that comes from seaweed extract usually in a plate

Semi-Solid

Lower concentration of Agar so softer consistency

Plates

Solid surface used ro visualize individual colonies of the inoculum (sample being used)

Where to label the plate?

• The edge of the bottom side with the agar attached

Test Tube

• Hold the liquid broth

Where to label the test tube?

• Label on the glass below the lid

• Always carry by the glass tube, not the lid

What 4 things should labels include

1. Initials

2. Date

3. Medium type

4. Inoculum source