Instructions for Culturing Bacteria
Bacteria are single-celled organisms that survive in every environment on Earth. Various species can even survive without the presence of oxygen, but none can survive without an energy source. For some species, this energy source could be carbon dioxide or light. Most, however, require a nutrient source in order to divide and multiply. To culture bacteria means to provide that nutrient source to a bacteria sample, encouraging it to reproduce in a laboratory, usually for research.
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Instructions
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Wash your hands thoroughly. Disinfect any surfaces on which you will be working with the bacteria. Discard all wipes or paper towels used in the disinfecting. Remove any unnecessary tools, instruments or other sources of potential contamination from the work area.
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Dip the cotton swab in the bacterial source (such as a water sample), or wipe the swab over a surface (such as a bathroom door handle) to collect a bacterial sample.
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Remove the lid from the agar plate. (An agar plate is a circular plastic container that holds agar, a gel rich in nutrients upon which bacteria will grow.) Rub the swab over the entire surface of the agar. Do not press so hard that you dent the agar.
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Place the lid back on the agar plate, and tape it closed around the edge.
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Pre-heat the incubator to 37 degrees Celsius. Place the agar plate inside the incubator. Leave it for 48 hours.
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Tips & Warnings
Agar plates are sold by microbiology laboratory suppliers. They must be used before their expiration date.
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