Laboratory Schedule for MCB 229, Spring 2004

Note: Page numbers (pp. x-z) refer to reading assignments in the Laboratory Manual. “PAML” numbers are page assignments in A Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory, 2nd Ed.

Lab Week
Dates
Exercises
Extra visits needed
1
Jan. 26-29
1. Lab orientation (pp. 3-7.)
2. Prepare slides for simple staining of bacteria (pp. 17-19) after learning aseptic transfer procedures (pp. 10-12.) See PAML 21-26 for images of stained bacteria.
3. Learn to use and care for the microscope (pp. 21-32.)
4. Study distribution of microorganisms (pp. 35-37 and handout.)
5. Isolate bacteria by streak plate method (pp. 13-15; PAML 9.)

2
Feb. 2-5
1. Follow up: Examine your streak plate with your TA. Then isolate single bacterial colonies by repeating the streak plate technique (pp. 13-15; PAML 9.)
2. Follow up: Observe plates showing distribution of microorganisms (pp. 35-37; PAML 1-4; and handout.)
3. Learn to do a Gram stain and spore stain (pp. 41-45; PAML 27-28 and 32-33.)

3
Feb. 9-12
1. Follow up: Examine your streak plate with your TA. If necessary, repeat for practice (pp. 13-15; PAML 9.)
2. Learn basic principles of culture media (pp. 49-54.)
3. Examine bacterial motility (pp. 67-70; PAML 35, 64.)
4. Inoculate media for study of Fungi (pp. 73-79, PERIOD I procedures.) See PAML 143-150 for images of fungi.

4
Feb. 16-19
1. LAB QUIZ #1 (practical.)
2. Follow up: observe and record culture media results (pp. 49-54.)
3. Follow up: observe and record motility tube results (pp. 67-70; PAML 64.)
4. Follow up: continue study of Fungi (pp. 73-79, PERIOD II procedures; PAML 143-150.)
5. Fermentation (pp. 109-112, PERIOD I procedures; PAML 52-53.)
6. Nitrate reduction (pp. 115-118, PERIOD I procedures; PAML 65-66.)
5. Fermentation (pp. 109-112, PERIOD II procedures.) Return in 2-4 days to record data. Continue incubation.
5
Feb. 23-26
1. Follow up: Fermentation (pp. 109-112, PERIOD III procedures; PAML 52-53.)
2. Follow up: Nitrate reduction (pp. 115-118, PERIOD II procedures; PAML 65-66.)
3. Enzymes (pp. 121-124, PERIOD I procedures.) Also see PAML pp. 43 (casease), 44 (catalase), 54 (gelatinase), 71-72 (oxidase), and 76-77 (amylase).
4. Anaerobes (pp. 95-99; PERIOD I procedures; PAML 6-8.)
5. Receive and streak mixture of unknown bacteria (pp. 127-128.)
5. Unknown (pp. 127-128). Return within 1-2 days. Identify two different isolates from regions where separate colonies can be seen. Streak each of your two isolates on separate plates and incubate. Mark original plate to show where you took each isolate; retain this plate to show your TA at next lab.
6.
Mar. 1-4
1. Follow up: Enzymes (pp. 121-124, PERIOD II procedures.) Also see PAML pp. 43 (casease), 44 (catalase), 54 (gelatinase), 71-72 (oxidase), and 76-77 (amylase).
2. Follow up: Anaerobes (pp. 95-99; PERIOD II procedures; PAML 6-8.)
3. Follow up: Unknown (pp. 127-128.) Inoculate diagnostic media to identify your two pure culture isolates. Also use gram stain and, if appropriate, spore stain. Inoculate each isolate on a separate slant tube to create a culture you can store if needed – after incubating this tube for 1-2 days, store it in the refrigerator. If you need to run more tests, use these slant cultures.
4. Optional: take home a sterile container for water testing in next lab (after spring break). Water should be collected the same day as your lab.
3. Unknown (pp. 127-128). Return as needed to record data. Be aware of rules about lab access. You may not enter room 207 while TAs from other lab sections are lecturing, and you may not work in room 207 while other scheduled labs are in progress – instead, take your materials to another room as directed.

Mar. 6-14

SPRING RECESS


7
Mar. 15-18
1. Follow up: Hand in report on bacterial unknowns (pp. 127-128.)
2. Gram positive cocci: (pp. 153-158, PERIOD I procedures; PAML 15, 41-42, 44, 46.)
3. Practice pipette technique (pp. 6-8.)
4. Water testing (pp. 163-167, PERIOD I procedures; PAML 12, 52-53, 96.)
5. Food testing (handout.)
2. Gram positive cocci (pp. 153-158): return in 2-3 days, follow PERIOD II procedure.
4. Water testing (pp. 163-167): return in 2-3 days, follow PERIOD II procedure.
8
Mar. 22-25
1. LAB QUIZ #2
2. Follow up: Gram positive cocci: (pp. 153-158, PERIOD III procedures; PAML 15, 41-42, 44, 46.)
3. Follow up: Water testing (pp. 163-167, PERIOD III procedures; PAML 12, 52-53, 96.)
4. Follow up: Food testing (handout.)
5. Antibiotics (pp. 131-136, PERIOD I procedures; PAML 93-94.)
6. UV Radiation (pp. 83-85, PERIOD I procedures; PAML 91-92, and handout.)

9
Mar. 29-Apr. 1
1. Follow up: Antibiotics (pp. 131-136, PERIOD II procedures; PAML 93-94.)
2. Follow up: UV Radiation (pp. 83-85, PERIOD II procedures; PAML 91-92, and handout.)
3. Soil plate count (pp. 147-149, PERIOD I procedures.)
4. Disinfectants and Antiseptics (pp. 103-105, PERIOD I procedures.)
1. Antibiotics (pp. 131-136): return in 1-2 days, follow PERIOD III procedures.
10
Apr. 5-8
1. Follow up: Soil plate count (pp. 147-149, PERIOD II procedures.)
2. Follow up: Disinfectants and Antiseptics (pp. 103-105, PERIOD II procedures.)
3. Microbial Growth (pp. 57-65, PERIOD I procedures; PAML 83-86.)
4. Isolation of Bacteria (pp. 197-206 and handout.)
4. Isolation of bacteria (pp. 197-206): return as needed to record data and transfer cultures.
11
Apr. 12-15
1. Follow up: Isolation of Bacteria (pp. 197-206 and handout.)
2. Follow up: Microbial Growth (pp. 57-65, PERIOD II procedures; PAML 83-86.)
3. Bacteriophage Isolation (PAML 87 and handout.)
1. Isolation of bacteria (pp. 197-206): return as needed to record data and transfer cultures.
12
Apr. 19-22
1. Follow up: Isolation of Bacteria (pp. 197-206 and handout.)
2. Follow up: Bacteriophage Isolation (PAML 87 and handout.)
1. Isolation of bacteria (pp. 197-206): return as needed to record data and transfer cultures.
13
Apr. 26-29
1. LAB FINAL (mostly practical)
2. Follow up: hand in report on Isolation of Bacteria not later than Friday Apr. 30 at noon.