Portage Microbiology (62)-compressed Exam
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
Another name for liquid growth Nutrient broth. Contains essential nutrients
media, and what are the basic to
components? provide the microbe with a source of
carbon/energy which encourages its
expansion.
Often includes sugars, amino acids, and
vitamins.
Provides the microbe with a source of
carbon/energy, which, in turn, encourages
its
expansion.
What is selective media? Selective media allows for only the growth
of
certain microbes while restricting the
growth of all
others.
How does selective media restrict Selective media restricts microbial growth
microbial growth? by
limiting nutrients, varying pH, or using
chemical
additives.
,What is a common use of selective Selective media is often used in medical
media in laboratories? laboratories for the cultivation of human
pathogens
such as Neisseria meningitidis.
What types of substances are Selective media contains substances like
found antibiotics, sodium chloride, or bile salts to
in selective media? promote or inhibit growth.
What happens to organisms that Only organisms that can survive on the
cannot survive on selective selective
media? media will grow on the plate.
What is the purpose of differential To distinguish between two, often related,
media? microbes growing on the same plate.
What types of indicators are added Dyes or pH detectors.
to differential media?
What is a common observable A color change from the indicator.
difference in differential media?
What is expected to happen to all All organisms would be expected to grow.
organisms plated on differential
media?
What is a fastidious microbe? Organisms with complex growth
requirements.
What happens if the nutrients are The microorganism will not grow.
absent for a fastidious microbe?
, What do enriched media contain? Specific and essential nutrients required
for the
growth of a particular subset of
microorganisms.
What is agar? A polysaccharide derived from red algae
(seaweed).
What is the primary use of agar in To create a solid, smooth surface on which
microbiology? microbes can grow.
Can microbes digest agar? No, agar cannot be digested by microbes.
At what temperature does agar 100 degrees C.
dissolve?
At what temperature does agar Below 40 degrees C.
solidify?
What temperature must be Greater than 100 degrees C.
exceeded to melt agar?
What is the simplest form of agar? Liquid growth media that has had a
hardening
agent added to it.
How is agar created? By adding a polysaccharide derived from
seaweed
(algae) extract to growth media.
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
Another name for liquid growth Nutrient broth. Contains essential nutrients
media, and what are the basic to
components? provide the microbe with a source of
carbon/energy which encourages its
expansion.
Often includes sugars, amino acids, and
vitamins.
Provides the microbe with a source of
carbon/energy, which, in turn, encourages
its
expansion.
What is selective media? Selective media allows for only the growth
of
certain microbes while restricting the
growth of all
others.
How does selective media restrict Selective media restricts microbial growth
microbial growth? by
limiting nutrients, varying pH, or using
chemical
additives.
,What is a common use of selective Selective media is often used in medical
media in laboratories? laboratories for the cultivation of human
pathogens
such as Neisseria meningitidis.
What types of substances are Selective media contains substances like
found antibiotics, sodium chloride, or bile salts to
in selective media? promote or inhibit growth.
What happens to organisms that Only organisms that can survive on the
cannot survive on selective selective
media? media will grow on the plate.
What is the purpose of differential To distinguish between two, often related,
media? microbes growing on the same plate.
What types of indicators are added Dyes or pH detectors.
to differential media?
What is a common observable A color change from the indicator.
difference in differential media?
What is expected to happen to all All organisms would be expected to grow.
organisms plated on differential
media?
What is a fastidious microbe? Organisms with complex growth
requirements.
What happens if the nutrients are The microorganism will not grow.
absent for a fastidious microbe?
, What do enriched media contain? Specific and essential nutrients required
for the
growth of a particular subset of
microorganisms.
What is agar? A polysaccharide derived from red algae
(seaweed).
What is the primary use of agar in To create a solid, smooth surface on which
microbiology? microbes can grow.
Can microbes digest agar? No, agar cannot be digested by microbes.
At what temperature does agar 100 degrees C.
dissolve?
At what temperature does agar Below 40 degrees C.
solidify?
What temperature must be Greater than 100 degrees C.
exceeded to melt agar?
What is the simplest form of agar? Liquid growth media that has had a
hardening
agent added to it.
How is agar created? By adding a polysaccharide derived from
seaweed
(algae) extract to growth media.
