Question

Summarize the general approach for identification of your unknowns in one or few phrases.

Answer 1

The identification of Unknown microorganisms is a careful and systematic process that uses different techniques to identify the organism. The major steps involved in identification are Isolation, Staining and Biochemical testing.

Isolation: Pure colonies of bacteria is isolated. The streak plate is used for pure culture isolation. Then after growth characteristics features of colonies are observed.

Staining: Staining is a simple basic techniques that is used to identify microorganisms. Simple staining is used to study the morphology. Gram staining is used to differentiate bacteria to Gram positive and Gram negative groups.

Biochemical reactions: Different biochemical testing are used to identify the microorganisms based on their ability to utilize biochemicals. The biochemical testing include Indole test, Methyl Red test, Voges Proskauer test, Citrate Utilisation test, TSI, Ureases test, SIM, Gelaitin Hydrolysis test, Nitrate Reduction test, Catalase test, Oxidase test, Coagulase test, Carbohydrate fermentation test, etc.

Another method of identification of Unknown organism is Dichotomous key. Dichotomousy is a tool created by scientists to identify unknown organism. A dichotomous key identify organism by getting a series of questions. A dichotomous key is a method of identification whereby group of organisms are divided into two categories repeatedly. With each sequential division, more information is revealed about the specific features of a particular organism. When the organism no longer shares it's totality of selected charachtersics with any organism, it has been identified.