Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology

About our authors Ted R. Johnson is a professor emeritus of biology at St. Olaf College, a liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, where he has taught courses in microbiology and immunology. He has taught at St. Olaf for 39 years and previously taught at Mankato State University for five years. 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. He has been involved in advising health professions students and received the Fr.Joseph Walter Award for Health Profession advising. His research focuses on the immune response to virally induced cancer in various animal models. Christine L. Case is a professor of microbiology at Skyline College in San Bruno, California, where she has taught for the past 47 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

Use and Care of the Microscope
Examination of Living Microorganisms

PART TWO HANDLING BACTERIA

Microbes in the Environment
Transfer of Bacteria: Aseptic Technique

PART THREE STAINING METHODS

Preparation of Smears and Simple Staining
Negative Staining
Gram Staining
Acid-Fast Staining
Structural Stains (Endospore, Capsule, and Flagella)
Morphological Unknown

PART FOUR CULTIVATION OF BACTERIA

Isolation of Bacteria by Dilution Techniques
Special Media for Isolating Bacteria

PART FIVE MICROBIAL METABOLISM

Carbohydrate Catabolism
Fermentation
Protein Catabolism, Part 1
Protein Catabolism, Part 2
Respiration
Unknown Identification and Bergey’s Manual

PART SIX MICROBIAL GROWTH

Oxygen and the Growth of Bacteria
Determination of a Bacterial Growth Curve: The Role of Temperature
Biofilms

PART SEVEN CONTROL OF MICROBIAL GROWTH

Physical Methods of Control: Heat
Physical Methods of Control: Ultraviolet Radiation
Chemical Methods of Control: Disinfectants and Antiseptics
Chemical Methods of Control: Antimicrobial Drugs
Effectiveness of Hand Scrubbing

PART EIGHT MICROBIAL GENETICS

Regulation of Gene Expression
Isolation of Bacterial Mutants
Transformation of Bacteria
DNA Fingerprinting
Genetic Engineering
Ames Test for Detecting Possible Chemical Carcinogens

PART NINE THE MICROBIAL WORLD

Fungi: Yeasts and Molds
Phototrophs: Algae and Cyanobacteria
Protozoa
Parasitic Helminths

PART TEN VIRUSES

Isolation and Titration of Bacteriophages
Plant Viruses

PART ELEVEN INTERACTION OF MICROBE AND HOST

Epidemiology
Koch's Postulate

PART TWELVE IMMUNOLOGY

Innate Immunity
Agglutination Reactions: Slide Agglutination
Agglutination Reactions: Microtiter Agglutination
ELISA Technique

PART THIRTEEN MICRORGANISMS AND DISEASE

Bacteria of the Skin
Bacteria of the Respiratory Tract
Bacteria of the Mouth
Bacteria of the Gastrointestinal Tract
Bacteria of the Urogenital Trac
Identification of an Unknown from a Clinical Sample
Rapid Identification Methods

PART FOURTEEN MICROBIOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Microbes in Water: Multiple-Tube Technique
Microbes in Water: Membrane Filter Technique
Microbes in Food: Contamination
Microbes Used in the Production of Foods
Microbes in Soil: The Nitrogen and Sulfur Cycles
Microbes in Soil: Bioremediation

APPENDICES

A. Pipetting
B. Dilution Techniques and Calculations
C. Use of the Spectrophotometer
D. Graphing
E. Use of the Dissecting Microscope
F. Use of the Membrane Filter
G. Electrophoresis
H. Keys to Bacteria