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Explain the methods of culturing microorganisms.

Explain the methods of culturing microorganisms.

Answers

Kavungya
1. Inoculation – producing a culture
- To cultivate or culture microorganisms a tiny sample (inoculum) is introduced into plate of nutrient medium (media) which provides an environment in which they multiply.
- The process is known as inoculation (done with sterile instruments/tools)
- The observable growth that appears on the medium is known as culture
- The sample can be obtained from soil, water, sewage, foods, air, body fluids (blood, cerebrospinal fluid) and in animate objects

2. Isolation (separating one species from another)
- A bacterial cell separated from a mixed population grows into discrete cells called a colony. The colony consists of one species
Incubation
- Placing an inoculated container of medium in a temperature controlled chamber (incubator) to encourage microbial growth (temperature between 200 – 400c).
- Incubators also control the content of atmospheric gases e.g Oxygen and CO2 required for growth of certain microbes
- During incubation period (ranges from few hours to weeks) the microbe multiplies and produces growth that is observable.
- In a liquid media, growth appears as cloudiness, sediment, surface mat, coloured pigment.
- In solid media colonies appear especially in Bacteria and fungi
Kavungya answered the question on March 13, 2019 at 05:33

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