Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology

About our authors Ted R. Johnson is a professor emeritus of biology at St. Olaf College, a liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, where he has taught courses in microbiology and immunology. He has taught at St. Olaf for 39 years and previously taught at Mankato State University for five years. He received his master’s degree and his Ph.D in microbiology from the University of Illinois in Chicago, Illinois. While at St. Olaf College, he has developed and directed several semester abroad and interim programs. He has been involved in advising health professions students and received the Fr.Joseph Walter Award for Health Profession advising. His research focuses on the immune response to virally induced cancer in various animal models.Christine L. Case is a professor of microbiology at Skyline College in San Bruno, California, where she has taught for the past 47 years. She received her Ed. D. in curriculum and instruction from Nova Southeastern University and her M.A. in microbiology from San Francisco State University. She was Director for the Society for Industrial Microbiology (SIM). She received the ASM and California Hayward outstanding educator awards and SACNAS Mentor award. In addition to teaching, Chris contributes regularly to professional literature, develops innovative educational methodologies, and maintains a personal and professional commitment to conservation and the importance of science in society. Chris is also an avid photographer, and many of her photographs appear in this lab manual.

• PART ONE MICROSCOPY Use and Care of the MicroscopeExamination of Living MicroorganismsPART TWO HANDLING BACTERIA Microbes in the EnvironmentTransfer of Bacteria: Aseptic TechniquePART THREE STAINING METHODS Preparation of Smears and Simple StainingNegative StainingGram StainingAcid-Fast StainingStructural Stains (Endospore, Capsule, and Flagella)Morphological UnknownPART FOUR CULTIVATION OF BACTERIA Isolation of Bacteria by Dilution TechniquesSpecial Media for Isolating BacteriaPART FIVE MICROBIAL METABOLISM Carbohydrate CatabolismFermentationProtein Catabolism, Part 1Protein Catabolism, Part 2RespirationUnknown Identification and Bergey’s ManualPART SIX MICROBIAL GROWTH Oxygen and the Growth of BacteriaDetermination of a Bacterial Growth Curve: The Role of TemperatureBiofilmsPART SEVEN CONTROL OF MICROBIAL GROWTH Physical Methods of Control: HeatPhysical Methods of Control: Ultraviolet RadiationChemical Methods of Control: Disinfectants and AntisepticsChemical Methods of Control: Antimicrobial DrugsEffectiveness of Hand ScrubbingPART EIGHT MICROBIAL GENETICS Regulation of Gene ExpressionIsolation of Bacterial MutantsTransformation of BacteriaDNA FingerprintingGenetic EngineeringAmes Test for Detecting Possible Chemical CarcinogensPART NINE THE MICROBIAL WORLD Fungi: Yeasts and MoldsPhototrophs: Algae and CyanobacteriaProtozoaParasitic HelminthsPART TEN VIRUSES Isolation and Titration of BacteriophagesPlant VirusesPART ELEVEN INTERACTION OF MICROBE AND HOST EpidemiologyKoch's PostulatePART TWELVE IMMUNOLOGY Innate ImmunityAgglutination Reactions: Slide AgglutinationAgglutination Reactions: Microtiter AgglutinationELISA TechniquePART THIRTEEN MICRORGANISMS AND DISEASE Bacteria of the SkinBacteria of the Respiratory TractBacteria of the MouthBacteria of the Gastrointestinal TractBacteria of the Urogenital TracIdentification of an Unknown from a Clinical SampleRapid Identification MethodsPART FOURTEEN MICROBIOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT Microbes in Water: Multiple-Tube TechniqueMicrobes in Water: Membrane Filter TechniqueMicrobes in Food: ContaminationMicrobes Used in the Production of FoodsMicrobes in Soil: The Nitrogen and Sulfur CyclesMicrobes in Soil: BioremediationAPPENDICES A. PipettingB. Dilution Techniques and CalculationsC. Use of the SpectrophotometerD. GraphingE. Use of the Dissecting MicroscopeF. Use of the Membrane FilterG. ElectrophoresisH. Keys to Bacteria