Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology

Ted R. Johnson is a professor of biology at St. Olaf College, a liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, where he teaches courses in microbiology and immunology. He has taught at St. Olaf for 34 years and previously taught at Mankato State University. He received his master’s degree and his Ph.D in microbiology from the University of Illinois in Chicago, Illinois. While at St. Olaf College, he has developed and directed several abroad semester and interim programs. His research focuses on the immune response to virally induced cancer in various animal models.   Christine L. Case is a registered microbiologist and a professor of microbiology at Skyline College in San Bruno, California, where she has taught for the past 41 years. She received her Ed. D. in curriculum and instruction from Nova Southeastern University and her M.A. in microbiology from San Francisco State University. She was Director for the Society for Industrial Microbiology (SIM). She received the ASM and California Hayward outstanding educator awards and SACNAS Mentor award. In addition to teaching, Chris contributes regularly to professional literature, develops innovative educational methodologies, and maintains a personal and professional commitment to conservation and the importance of science in society. Chris is also an avid photographer, and many of her photographs appear in this lab manual.

Introduction

I. MICROSCOPY

1. Use and Care of the Microscope

2. Examination of Living Microorganisms

II. Handling Bacteria

3. Microbes in the Environment

4. Transfer of Bacteria: Aseptic Techniques

III. STAINING METHODS

5. Preparation of Smears and Simple Staining

6. Negative Staining

7. Gram Staining

8. Acid-Fast Staining

9. Structural Stains (Endospore, Capsule, Flagella)

10. Morphologic Unknown

IV. CULTIVATION OF BACTERIA  

11. Isolation of Bacteria by Dilution Techniques

12. Special Media for Isolating Bacteria

V. MICROBIAL METABOLISM

13. Carbohydrate Catabolism

14. Fermentation

15. Protein Catabolism, Part 1

16. Protein Catabolism, Part 2

17. Respiration

18. Unknown Identification and Bergey’s Manual

VI. MICROBIAL GROWTH

19. Oxygen and the Growth of Bacteria

20. Determination of a Bacterial Growth Curve: The Role of Temperature

21. Biofilms  

VII. CONTROL OF MICROBIAL GROWTH

22. Physical Methods of Control: Heat

23. Physical Methods of Control: Ultraviolet Radiation

24. Chemical Methods of Control: Disinfectants and Antiseptics

25. Chemical Methods of Control: Antimicrobial Drugs

26. Effectiveness of Hand Scrubbing

VIII. MICROBIAL GENETICS

27. Regulation of Gene Expression

28. Isolation of Bacterial Mutants

29. Transformation of Bacteria

30. DNA Fingerprinting

31. Genetic Engineering

32. Ames Test for Detecting Possible Chemical Carcinogens

IX. THE MICROBIAL WORLD

33. Fungi: Yeasts and Molds

34. Phototrophs: Algae and Cyanobacteria

35. Protozoa

36. Parasitic Helminths

X. VIRUSES

37. Isolation and Titration of Bacteriophages

38. Plant Viruses

XI. INTERACTION OF MICROBE AND HOST

39. Epidemiology

40. Koch’s Postulates

XII. IMMUNOLOGY

41. Innate Immunology

42.  Agglutination Reactions: Slide Agglutination

43. Agglutination Reactions: Microtiter Agglutination

44. ELISA Technique

XIII. MICROORGANISMS AND DISEASE

45. Bacteria of the Skin

46. Bacteria of the Respiratory Tract

47. Bacteria of the Mouth

48. Bacteria of the Gastrointestinal Tract

49. Bacteria of the Genitourinary Tract

50. Identification of an Unknown from a Clinical Sample

51. Rapid Identification Methods

XIV. MICROBIOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

52. Microbes in Water: Multiple-Tube Technique

53. Microbes in Water: Membrane Filter Technique

54. Microbes in Food: Contamination

55. Microbes Used in the Production of Foods

56. Microbes in Soil: The Nitrogen and Sulfur Cycles

57. Microbes in Soil: Bioremediaton

APPENDICES

A. Pipetting

B. Dilution Techniques and Calculations

C. Use of the Spectrophotometer

D. Graphing

E. Use of the Dissecting Membrane

F. Use of the Membrane Filter

G. Electrophoresis

H. Keys to Bacteria

Index