MacConkey lactose agar is a medium that kills all microbes except for gram-negative bacteria, and it contains dyes that turn deep purple if a microbe grows and ferments lactose. MacConkey lactose agar is which sort of medium? Selective and differential Selective Differential

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**Understanding MacConkey Lactose Agar**

**Question:**
MacConkey lactose agar is a medium that kills all microbes except for gram-negative bacteria, and it contains dyes that turn deep purple if a microbe grows and ferments lactose. MacConkey lactose agar is which sort of medium?

**Options:**
1. Selective and differential
2. Selective
3. Differential

(An option labeled "Selective" is marked indicating that it was the selected answer.)

**Explanation:**

MacConkey lactose agar serves important functions in microbiology for identifying and differentiating between microorganisms. It is especially useful in identifying bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family, which includes many significant pathogens.

1. **Selective Aspect:**
   - MacConkey agar contains bile salts and crystal violet which inhibit the growth of gram-positive bacteria. This allows for the selective growth of gram-negative bacteria.

2. **Differential Aspect:**
   - It contains lactose and neutral red as a pH indicator. Bacteria that ferment lactose produce acid which lowers the pH and changes the color of the colonies to deep purple/red. Non-lactose fermenting bacteria will remain colorless or have no change in color.

Therefore, despite the selected answer being "Selective", MacConkey lactose agar is actually both selective and differential due to its capacity to both inhibit certain bacteria and visually differentiate between lactose fermenters and non-fermenters.

For further clarification and visual understanding, resources such as illustrations or videos demonstrating bacterial growth on MacConkey agar can be highly beneficial.
Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding MacConkey Lactose Agar** **Question:** MacConkey lactose agar is a medium that kills all microbes except for gram-negative bacteria, and it contains dyes that turn deep purple if a microbe grows and ferments lactose. MacConkey lactose agar is which sort of medium? **Options:** 1. Selective and differential 2. Selective 3. Differential (An option labeled "Selective" is marked indicating that it was the selected answer.) **Explanation:** MacConkey lactose agar serves important functions in microbiology for identifying and differentiating between microorganisms. It is especially useful in identifying bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family, which includes many significant pathogens. 1. **Selective Aspect:** - MacConkey agar contains bile salts and crystal violet which inhibit the growth of gram-positive bacteria. This allows for the selective growth of gram-negative bacteria. 2. **Differential Aspect:** - It contains lactose and neutral red as a pH indicator. Bacteria that ferment lactose produce acid which lowers the pH and changes the color of the colonies to deep purple/red. Non-lactose fermenting bacteria will remain colorless or have no change in color. Therefore, despite the selected answer being "Selective", MacConkey lactose agar is actually both selective and differential due to its capacity to both inhibit certain bacteria and visually differentiate between lactose fermenters and non-fermenters. For further clarification and visual understanding, resources such as illustrations or videos demonstrating bacterial growth on MacConkey agar can be highly beneficial.
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