Chapter 4, Problem 1Q

What other methods can be used to determine motility?

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The other methods that can be used to determine motility.

Introduction:

Motility is defined as the capability of a life form to move from one place to another by using the energy produced in its body. It is determined by the genetic structure of the organism. Motility can also refer to the movement of food in the digestive tract or division of cells.

Explanation of Solution

Bacteria can also move with the help of different appendages present on its cell surface. It can swim in a liquid media by propelling their flagella or can glide on a surface in response to different stimuli or food.

Bacterial motility can be determined in different ways in microbiology. Motility butts are one of the common techniques for studying the motility of bacteria. It includes inoculation of bacteria in a semi-solid motility agar poured in a Petri plate or test tube. Other methods include mounting and staining the organism and observing under a dark field or bright field microscope.

Hanging-drop mount is very useful in observing the motility of a bacteria. The hanging-drop procedure is a special type of wet mount used to observe the motility of the organism. In the procedure, the drop of culture media containing microorganisms is placed on the coverslip coated with petroleum jelly. The jelly forms a seal to prevent evaporation. This slide is then inverted over a slide having a well in it. The drop hangs in the well in which the microbial motility can be easily observed.

Bacteria can also be stained using different dye (that stains live organism) or flagellar staining for easy observation under a microscope.

Conclusion

Other methods that can be used to determine motility includes mounting and staining the organism.