Chapter 2: Types of Media

Question 1

General Purpose Media

Answer 1

Grows a broad spectrum of microbes; complex; Nutrient agar, broth, brain-heart infusion, & TSA

Question 2

Selective Media

Answer 2

Contains one or more agents that inhibit growth of certain microbes but not others; for samples containing dozens of different species (saliva, skin, water, soil)

Question 3

Enriched Media

Answer 3

Contains complex organic substances; for growing certain species (fastidious microbes); Blood agar, Chocolate agar

Question 4

Differential Media

Answer 4

Allows multiple types of microorganisms to grow; causes different reactions (dyes make microorganisms easily identifiable)

Question 5

Transport Media

Answer 5

Used to maintain and preserve specimens that have to be held for a period of time before clinical analysis; also used to sustain species that die quickly

Question 6

Reducing Media

Answer 6

Contains sodium thioglycollate or cystine that absorbs oxygen or slows the penetration of oxygen; grows anaerobic bacteria or determines oxygen requirements of isolates

Question 7

Carbohydrate Fermentation Media

Answer 7

Contains sugars that can be fermented (converted to acids) and a pH indicator to show this reaction; identifies bacteria and fungi