Introduction, Growth Media, and Ubiquity of Microorganisms

Question 1

Describe the lab policies for applying cosmetics / handling contact lenses

Answer 1

Do not apply cosmetics or contact lenses

Question 2

Describe the lab policies for washing hands

Answer 2

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after working in the lab

Question 3

Describe the lab policies for removing organisms / chemicals from the lab

Answer 3

Do not remove and organisms or chemicals from the lab

Question 4

Describe the lab policies for wearing protective clothing

Answer 4

Wear protective clothing

Question 5

Describe the lab policies for wearing sandals or open-toed shoes

Answer 5

Do not wear sandals or open-toed shoes

Question 6

Describe the lab policies for operation of the Bunsen burner

Answer 6

Turn off the bunsen burner when not in use

Question 7

Describe the lab policies for managing long hair

Answer 7

Tie back long hair

Question 8

Describe the lab policies for working while pregnant / immunocompromised / taking immunosuppressant drugs

Answer 8

Consider potential risks

Question 9

Describe the lab policies for discarding disposable gloves

Answer 9

Discard disposable gloves in the orange autoclave waste container

Question 10

Describe the lab policies for exposure to microorganisms

Answer 10

Use an antiseptic on the skin

Question 11

Describe the lab policies for mouth pipetting

Answer 11

Never pipette by mouth

Question 12

Describe the lab policies for disposal of broken glass

Answer 12

Dispose of broken glass in the glass disposal box

Question 13

Describe the lab policies for disposal of needles or razor blades

Answer 13

Dispose of needles / razor blades in the sharps container

Question 14

Describe the lab policies for sanitizing the lab bench surfaces

Answer 14

Sanitize lab bench surfaces with bacdown before and after working in the lab

Question 15

Describe the lab policies for keeping culture tubes upright

Answer 15

Never lay culture tubes on their sides (remain upright)

Question 16

Describe the lab policies for handling microbial spills

Answer 16

Cover culture spills with paper towels, soak towels with bacdown, and allow them to stand for 5 minutes; dispose of towels in orange autoclave waste container

Question 17

Describe the lab policies for placement of ‘nonessentials’

Answer 17

Place nonessentials under lab benches or on coat rack

Question 18

Describe the lab policies for working with reusable glass culture tubes or ‘other’ glass reusable items

Answer 18

Remove labels from glass tube cultures and other glass reusable items; place them in the recyclable autoclave container

Question 19

Describe the lab policies for disposal of contaminated items

Answer 19

Dispose of plate cultures and other contaminated disposable items in the orange biohazard autoclave bag

Question 20

Describe the lab policies for disposal of used glass microscope slides

Answer 20

Discard used microscope slides in the glass disposal box

Question 21

What are nutrient broth and nutrient agar media used for?

Answer 21

Maintaining bacterial cultures

Question 22

Name 2 essential elements of living organisms

Answer 22

Carbon and nitrogen

Question 23

Differentiate between ‘complex’ and ‘defined’ media (2)

Answer 23

• Complex media - composition of carbon / nitrogen are unknown
• Defined media - specific chemical composition is known

Question 24

What is an ‘agar plate’ and how is it prepared? (2)

Answer 24

• Solid growth medium containing carbohydrates and nutrients
• Added in a concentration of ~1%

Question 25

Describe how an agar plate melts / solidifies (2)

Answer 25

• Melts at 100°C
• Solidifies at 45°C

Question 26

What is agar and what function does it serve with regard to media? (3)

Answer 26

• Complex polysaccharide isolated from seaweed
• Supports microbial growth
• Solidifies media

Question 27

How should agar plates be labeled?

Answer 27

Around the perimeter of the bottom of the plate

Question 28

How should agar plates be incubated?

Answer 28

Upside down

Question 29

Describe nutrient broths

Answer 29

Liquid media made by pouring liquid ingredients into test tubes before sterilization via an autoclave

Question 30

Describe agar slants

Answer 30

Nutrient broth solidified while resting at an angle / slant

Question 31

Describe agar deeps

Answer 31

Semisolid media made by pouring liquid media containing a reduced concentration of agar into test tubes before sterilization via an autoclave

Question 32

What does the term ubiquitous mean?

Answer 32

Microorganisms can be found just about everywhere

Question 33

Name 5 environments where microorganisms can be found

Answer 33

• Soil
• Water
• Air
• Plants
• Animals

Question 34

What is a reservoir?

Answer 34

Any area, including areas outside of the typical host organism

Question 35

Name and example of a reservoir

Answer 35

Swine and avian hosts for human influenza

Question 36

With regard to microorganisms, what does it mean to be ‘free living’?

Answer 36

Microorganisms do not reside on / in a particular plant or animal host

Question 37

What is the difference between a ‘pathogen’ and an ‘opportunistic pathogen’? (2)

Answer 37

• Pathogens are associated with their host
• Opportunistic pathogens are mutualistic strains capable of producing a disease state