Learn: Culturing Microorganisms

Welcome!You've already learned about cells, their structure, and microscopy. Now, let's build on that foundation and explore how microorganisms are cultured in the laboratory.

What are Cultured Microorganisms?Culturing microorganisms involves growing them in controlled conditions to study them or use them for scientific applications. This helps scientists understand diseases, develop medicines, and investigate biological processes.

Nutrient MediumMicroorganisms are grown on nutrient mediums, which provide the food they need to survive and reproduce. A common example is agar gel, which contains nutrients like carbohydrates and minerals.

Sterile ConditionsTo prevent contamination from other microorganisms, scientists must work in sterile conditions. This includes using disinfected equipment and wearing gloves to ensure accurate results.

Temperature ControlMost microorganisms grow best at specific temperatures. For example, pathogenic bacteria often thrive at 37°C, which is body temperature. Scientists use incubators to maintain this environment during experiments.

Measuring GrowthScientists measure growth by counting colonies that appear on agar plates. Each colony represents a single microorganism that has reproduced multiple times.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about nutrient mediums, sterile conditions, temperature control, and measuring growth. Now let's test your understanding with a few questions.