Obtaining a Pure Culture in Clinical Microbiology

This set of flashcards includes key vocabulary related to the methods of obtaining a pure culture in clinical microbiology, including definitions of important concepts like clinical samples, pure cultures, and various plating techniques.

Clinical Sample

A sample collected from a patient to identify the pathogen causing an infection.

Normal Flora

Microbes that normally live on the human body and do not cause disease.

Pure Culture

A culture that contains only one species of cells, allowing for the identification of a pathogen.

Plating Techniques

Methods used to isolate a pure culture from a mixed sample.

Colony Forming Unit (CFU)

A single colony on an agar plate that is genetically identical and derives from one parental cell.

Agar Plate

A petri dish filled with agar used for growing bacteria.

Quadrant Streaking

A method of plating that involves streaking in four quadrants to isolate single colonies.

Spread Plate Technique

A method where a diluted sample is spread evenly on the surface of an agar medium.

Pour Plate Technique

A method where a diluted culture is mixed with warm agar and poured into a plate, allowing colonies to grow throughout the medium.

Sterilization

The process of making equipment and environments free from contamination by pathogens.