Chapter 2, Problem 3CT

(a)

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Whether or not any of the three methods streaking spreading and loop dilution could be used to determine the total number of cells present in a patient's specimen.

Introduction:

The number of cells, or the concentration of cells in the specimen, is an important phenomenon, which describes the health status of an individual. If the concentration of bacteria or any other foreign antigen is higher than the determined concentration the person is said to be infected with a disease.

(b)

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The errors in the procedure that could have resulted in obtaining heavy growth in the first quadrant but no growth in the other quadrants.

Introduction:

Streaking is a microbiological technique used for isolating a pure strain from a single species of microorganism, from a mixed population. The inoculum is streaked on the agar surface in such a way that it “thins out” the bacteria.