Question

Why we grow the microorganisms in the form of slants, on liquid media and on solid media? Why doesn’t 48ºC to 50ºC temperature of the melted agar kill most of the bacteria?
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Why is it crucial for a microbiologist working in a laboratory to practice aseptic technique during various microbiology techniques like media preparation, inoculation of microorganisms etc?

Answer 1

Solution:

Agar, extracted from the algal cell walls(red algae) is commonly used to grow different bacteria. The originsl extracted agar has been modifies with the addition of various substances to mainatin diverse bactrial growth. Adding additional nutrient sources like beef extract and peptone is ver common. Certain specific bacteria require the presence of specific nutrient sources with agar. That must be provided for the proper growth of bacteria. The slanting culture is among the important culturing methods in microbioilogy. This gives  a greater surface area for thw bacteria to grow in a test tube. Also covering the slant tube with screw cap reduces moisture loss and also prevents the intrusion of other bacteria in the surroundings. Agar slants are also useful in regulating the space for bacterial cultures. The petridishes consume more space in a laboratory condition than simple tubes that can be holded using a testube rack.

Why doesn’t 48ºC to 50ºC temperature of the melted agar kill most of the bacteria? Because most of the bacteria show good growth in this temperature range. This temperature is not enough to downregulate the functioning of their chief enzymes and proteins. Temperature beyond 50ºC may cause detrimental effects to bacteria.

Aseptic techniques can be considered as a broad phrase which details about the methods used for sterilizing or maintaining sterility to a specific location from the infections of natural, specifically air borne microbes. Microbiologists prefer to use aseptic techniques for isolating, culturing, inoculating, and also during the antimicrobial susceptibility testing. It requires utmost hygiene while performing microbiological experiments