Microbiology: Laboratory Manual for Allied Health and General Microbiology

This microbiology laboratory manual has been used for many years for both a general introductory microbiology laboratory manual and for introductory medical microbiology laboratory manual for the allied health disciplines at the University of Rhode Island. It gives a comprehensive coverage of the basics of introductory microbiology, plus some coverage of its applied aspects. Sufficient detail has been given so that the exercises may be performed independently. Numerous instructions have been provided so that the exercises may be performed with a high degree of success. The appropriate steps have been included, as well as directions concerning when observations should be made and what the results should be. We have also included a number of questions at the end of most exercises. This will allow you the opportunity to challenge your understanding of the principles and applications of the information obtained from the experiment. Students will learn the fundamentals: safety in the microbiology laboratory, aseptic technique - how to handle microorganisms safely and transfer them between vessels without contaminating either themselves, others in the laboratory or the cultures of microorganisms they are working with. Students will also learn where microbes are found in and around us as well as how to culture them and identify them.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction Laboratory Rules and Regulations Experiment 1: Smear Preparation Experiment 2: Simple Stain Procedure Experiment 3: Separation and Isolation of Bacteria from a Mixed Culture Experiment 4: The Gram Stain Experiment 5: Bacterial Motility and Cluster Arrangement (Hanging Drop Method) Experiment 6: Bacterial Endospores Experiment 7: Preparation and Sterilization of Culture Media Experiment 8: Physiological Characteristics of Bacteria Experiment 9: Production of Extracellular Enzymes Hydrolysis of Starch Experiment 10: Production of Extracellular Enzymes Hydrolysis of Gelatin and Casein Experiment 11: Fermentation of Carbohydrates Experiment 12: Reduction of Nitrates Experiment 13: Production of Indole Experiment 14: Production of Hydrogen Sulfide Experiment 15: Reduction of Hydrogen Peroxide Experiment 16: The MP-VP Citrate Test Experiment 17: Calibration of the Microscope Experiment 18: Measuring Bacterial Growth - Optical Density Method Experiment 19: Enumeration of Live Bacteria Standard Plate Count Experiment 20: Bacterial Mutation: The Isolation of a Streptomycin-Resistant Mutant Experiment 21: Bacterial Variation Experiment 22: Cultivation of Anaerobic Bacteria Experiment 23: Agglutination of Bacteria Experiment 24: Immune Precipitation (The Gel Diffusion Test) Experiment 25: Selective Bacteriostatic Action of Crystal Violet Experiment 26: Oligodynamic Action of Metals and Bacteriostatic Action of Chemicals Experiment 27: Antibiosis Experiment 28: Morphology of Yeast Experiment 29: Morphology of Some Common Molds Experiment 30: Effect of the Environment Upon Microorganisms Experiment 31: Effect of Osmotic Pressure on Microorganisms Experiment 32: Effect of pH on Growth of Microorganisms Experiment 33: Effect of Freezing on Microorganisms Experiment 34: Flora of the Skin Experiment 35: Flora of the Upper Respiratory Tract Experiment 36: The Acid-Fast Stain Experiment 37: Peptonization and Fermentation of Milk Experiment 38: Counts of Milk Bacteria Experiment 39: Coliform Analysis of Drinking Water Experiment 40: Bacteria in Ground Meat Experiment 41: Bacteriophage Growth Experiment 42: Oxidase Test Handwashing Effectiveness Laboratory Cleanliness and Sanitation Classroom Epidemic Laboratory Appendix A Special Comments for Experiments Appendix B Stains and Reagents Appendix C Culture Media