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 semester abroad 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 44 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.

Part One Microscopy 1. Use and Care of the Microscope

2. Examination of Living Microorganisms

Part Two  Handling Bacteria

3. Microbes in the Environment

4. Transfer of Bacteria: Aseptic Technique

Part Three  Staining Methods

5. Preparation of Smears and Simple Staining

6. Negative Staining

7. Gram Staining

8. Acid-Fast Staining

9. Structural Stains (Endospore, Capsule, and Flagella)

10. Morphological Unknown

Part Four  Cultivation of Bacteria

11. Isolation of Bacteria by Dilution Techniques

12. Special Media for Isolating Bacteria

Part Five  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

Part Six   Microbial Growth

19. Oxygen and the Growth of Bacteria

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

21. Biofilms

Part Seven  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

Part Eight  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.

Part Nine  The Microbial World

33. Fungi: Yeasts and Molds

34. Phototrophs: Algae and Cyanobacteria.

35. Protozoa.

36. Parasitic Helminths

Part Ten  Viruses

37. Isolation and Titration of Bacteriophages.

38. Plant Viruses.

Part Eleven  Interaction of Microbe and Host

39. Epidemiology.

40. Koch's Postulate.

Part Twelve  Immunology

41. Innate Immunity.

42. Agglutination Reactions: Slide Agglutination.

43. Agglutination Reactions: Microtiter Agglutination.

44. ELISA Technique.

Part Thirteen   Microrganisms 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 Urogenital Tract.

50. Identification of an Unknown from a Clinical Sample.

51. Rapid Identification Methods

Part Fourteen   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.