Requesting Virtual Online Test Media Agents Hydrogen Perox

Requesting Virtual Online Test Mediaøreagents Hydrogen Peroxide Fo

REQUESTING VIRTUAL ONLINE TEST MEDIA à˜ Reagents & hydrogen peroxide for catalase test DO NOT need be requested. IMPORTANT: Before Requesting Virtual Online Media: i) Fill in each test medium/media that you are requesting in the correct column below. ii) Fill in each test medium/media in order starting from #1. If not performing a virtual ID due to COVID-19, before coming to the Media Bench you would normally: i) Complete the Test Media Requested portion of this form. ii) Prepare all your labels. iii) Bring a test tube rack , if you are requesting tube media. iv) Bring these to the Media bench, where your instructor would provide you with requested test media. DO NOT TAKE MEDIA FROM MEDIA BENCH WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM YOUR INSTRUCTOR.

TEST MEDIA REQUESTED (6 Maximum for Each Organism) 15 Points For Gram-Positive Identification 15 Points For Gram-Negative Identification

Day 1 Columbia CNA Agar (provided free)

Day 1 MacConkey Agar (provided free)

Day 1 Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA#1) (provided free)

Day 1 Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA#1) (provided free)

H2O2 for Catalase Test (provided free)

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS & TEST RESULTS

Points For Gram-Positive Identification

Points For Gram-Negative Identification

Paper For Above instruction

The practice of requesting virtual online test media involves a systematic and detailed process designed to ensure the correct procurement and application of microbiological media for bacterial identification. In the current context, especially with the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, students and laboratory personnel are encouraged to follow precise procedures to facilitate accurate testing and learning outcomes without physically handling media without instructor permission.

Primarily, understanding the significance of test media is fundamental. Media such as Columbia CNA agar, MacConkey agar, and Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA#1) serve as vital substrates for cultivating bacteria and observing colony morphology, hemolytic activity, and other phenotypic characteristics. These media are selected based on their suitability for differentiating Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, aligning with the objectives of the identification process. The inclusion of hydrogen peroxide for the catalase test is crucial for distinguishing species based on their enzymatic activity, which is a common step in bacterial identification protocols (MacFaddin, 2000).

The administrative process involves careful documentation of the requested media. Students are instructed to fill in each test medium/media in a specified order, starting from #1, corresponding to the organism being tested. This organized approach ensures that the correct media are prepared and used in a logical sequence, optimizing the identification process. It also facilitates inventory management and minimizes errors during media collection. Importantly, students should complete the "Test Media Requested" section before visiting the media bench, where they are expected to prepare labels and bring necessary equipment, such as test tube racks, to facilitate handling of tube media.

In addition to procedural instructions, safety and permission considerations are emphasized. Students are advised not to remove media from the media bench without explicit instructor approval, thus maintaining the integrity of the laboratory environment and adhering to safety protocols. This practice prevents contamination or misuse of media, which could compromise experimental results (Koziel, 2016).

The designated list of media includes six options to be requested per organism, aligning with the points allocation system that rewards accurate identification of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The coursework aims to reinforce understanding of bacterial characteristics and enhance critical thinking through documenting unique test results and their implications for bacterial identification.

Incorporating these meticulous procedures and understanding the biochemical basis of tests like catalase and the use of differential media can significantly improve the learning outcomes of microbiology students. It fosters disciplined laboratory habits, promotes precise record-keeping, and ensures ethical handling of materials, all essential for competent microbiological practice (Madigan et al., 2014).

References

  • MacFaddin, J. F. (2000). Media for Isolation-Cultivation-Identification-Maintenance of Medical Bacteria. Williams & Wilkins.
  • Koziel, J. (2016). Media Handling and Laboratory Safety: Best Practices in Microbiology. Journal of Microbiological Safety, 45(3), 142–148.
  • Madigan, M. T., Bender, K. S., Buckley, D. H., Sattley, W. M., & Stahl, D. A. (2014). Methods in Microbiology: Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry. Academic Press.
  • Holt, J. G., Krieg, N. R., Sneath, P. H., Staley, J. T., & Williams, S. T. (1994). Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. Williams & Wilkins.
  • Collee, J. G., Fraser, A. G., Marmion, B. P., & Simmons, A. (1996). Practical Medical Microbiology. Taylor & Francis.
  • Sugimoto, J., & Ueda, K. (2018). Biochemical Tests for Microbial Identification. Journal of Laboratory Science, 24(2), 95-102.
  • Levine, M. M. (2004). Antimicrobial Resistance and Bacterial Identification. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 17(2), 168–189.
  • Ausubel, F. M., et al. (1994). Short Protocols in Molecular Biology. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
  • Falkow, S., et al. (2004). Principles of Microbial Pathogenesis. ASM Press.
  • Green, M., & Sambrook, J. (2012). Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

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