Culturing microorganisms GCSE questions
Cover the answers and try these Culturing microorganisms checks first. The full quiz in the app includes hints.
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Practice questions
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Why are school bacterial cultures incubated at about 25 °C rather than 37 °C?
What is the main aim of aseptic technique?
Why should a Petri dish lid not be taped all the way round?
An inoculating loop is flamed until it glows. What must you do next before picking up bacteria?
Common mistakes
- Do not incubate school cultures at 37 °C. That is body temperature and would encourage pathogens that infect people.
- Flaming then immediately touching the colony kills the bacteria you wanted. Sealing the dish all the way round is a safety dump.
- 25 °C is the school safety temperature, not "the temperature bacteria like best". Hospitals may use 37 °C with proper containment.
- A bigger zone does not prove the antibiotic is safe or that it works inside a person. Do not put the ruler through the agar and contaminate it.
Answers and working
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