Microbiology Labs
“Lab 7 Microbial Control” “BIO250L”
Student Name: Amy Bailey
Access Code (located on the lid of your lab kit): AC-OU2JH9B
“Experiment 1- Effect of Chemical Germicides on Bacterial Growth”
“Table 3: Experiment Results”
“Sample”
“Germicide”
“Zone of Inhibition (mm)”
“Relative Effectiveness”
“Skin”
“10% Bleach”
20
100
“70% Isopropyl Alcohol”
20
100
“Hibiclens™”
20
100
“Control”
0
0
“Nose”
“10% Bleach”
20
100
“70% Isopropyl Alcohol”
20
100
“Hibiclens™”
20
100
“Control”
0
0
“Throat”
“10% Bleach”
20
100
“70% Isopropyl Alcohol”
20
100
“Hibiclens™”
20
100
“Control”
0
0
“Shoe”
“10% Bleach”
20
100
“70% Isopropyl Alcohol”
20
100
“Hibiclens™”
20
100
“Control”
0
0
“Post-Lab Questions”
“1. Which germicide was the most effective? Was the same germicide most effective for bacteria isolated from the different sources? What could explain this finding?”
We did not find a difference in effectiveness. We could have had this happen because the bacteria did not grow or they were dead before the germicides were applied.
“2. Which germicide was the least effective? Was the same germicide least effective for bacteria isolated from different sources? What could explain this finding?”
We did not find a difference in effectiveness. However, in theory, the Hibiclens would be least effective because it affects the cell wall of the gram positive much more than a gram negative cell wall. We could have had this happen because the bacteria did not grow or they were dead before the germicide was applied.
“3. Were any bacteria from a specific source most resistant to the different germicides? If so, which source?”
Either they were all resistant to all germicides or there was nothing to be kill.
“4. Did the dry filter paper serve as a positive or negative control?”
It served as a negative control because it did not contain any substance.
“5. Look up the chemical formulas for bleach, isopropyl alcohol, and chlorhexidine gluconate (the active ingredient in Hibiclens). How does each chemical achieve its germicidal properties?”
Bleach and alcohol works by denaturing the protein. Hibiclens works by destroying the cell wall.
“Insert photo of your cultures after incubation with your name clearly visible in the background:”
“Experiment 2- Measuring Antibiotic Resistance”
“Table 4: Experiment Results”
“Antibiotic”
“Zone of Inhibition (mm)”
“Relative Effectiveness”
“Ampicillin”
6
25%
“Kanamycin”
12
50%
“Penicillin”
0
0
“Control”
0
0
“Post-Lab Questions”
“1. Which antibiotic was most effective in killing the bacterial lawn? Which was the least effective?”
The most effective was Kanamycin. The least effective was Penicillin.
“2. What is the mechanism of action for each of the antibiotics used in this experiment?”
Ampicillin and Penicillin lyse the cell wall whereas the Kanamycin interrupt protein synthesis.
“3. If a population of bacteria evolves resistance to penicillin, are these bacteria more likely to be also resistant to ampicillin or kanamycin? Explain your reasoning.”
Yes. If they develop resistance, then they will also be resistant to ampicillin. This is because the cell wall would be able to resist the action of the cell wall.
“Insert photo of your cultures after incubation with your name clearly visible in the background:”
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