Lab 4 Selective Media & BIO250
L
Agar
Student Name: Monilola Anigala
Access Code (located on the underside of the lid of your lab kit): AC-3BMK7G
Pre-Lab Questions
1. What is the difference between chemically defined and chemically complex media? Give either
a clinical or environmental research example for which each media type would be the most
appropriate choice for culturing microorganisms.
Chemically defined media is composed of precisely identified
chemical components that provide microorganisms with the
essential nutrients required for growth. In contrast, chemically
complex media consists of a mixture of intricate ingredients, such
as yeast extract or blood, which supply a diverse array of nutrients
to support microbial growth.
2. Why is differential media typically inoculated with isolated colonies that have been
previously cultured on general growth media?
Differential media are employed to differentiate between distinct
types of microorganisms. Seeding differential media with isolated
colonies guarantees the presence of a single microbial strain,
facilitating the interpretation of results.
3. Use a textbook or a reputable internet source (such as www.cdc.gov) to research and describe
a scenario in a lab or clinical setting in which a selective and/or differential test would be
necessary.
A selective or differential test is crucial in a laboratory or clinical
setting for identifying a specific type of microorganism. For instance,
This study source was downloaded by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 09-24-2025 07:09:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248339655/BIO250LV2Lab4docx/
, Lab 4 Selective Media & BIO250
when a patient presents with meningitis symptoms, a doctorLmay
Agar
prescribe a cerebrospinal
This study source was downloaded by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 09-24-2025 07:09:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248339655/BIO250LV2Lab4docx/
L
Agar
Student Name: Monilola Anigala
Access Code (located on the underside of the lid of your lab kit): AC-3BMK7G
Pre-Lab Questions
1. What is the difference between chemically defined and chemically complex media? Give either
a clinical or environmental research example for which each media type would be the most
appropriate choice for culturing microorganisms.
Chemically defined media is composed of precisely identified
chemical components that provide microorganisms with the
essential nutrients required for growth. In contrast, chemically
complex media consists of a mixture of intricate ingredients, such
as yeast extract or blood, which supply a diverse array of nutrients
to support microbial growth.
2. Why is differential media typically inoculated with isolated colonies that have been
previously cultured on general growth media?
Differential media are employed to differentiate between distinct
types of microorganisms. Seeding differential media with isolated
colonies guarantees the presence of a single microbial strain,
facilitating the interpretation of results.
3. Use a textbook or a reputable internet source (such as www.cdc.gov) to research and describe
a scenario in a lab or clinical setting in which a selective and/or differential test would be
necessary.
A selective or differential test is crucial in a laboratory or clinical
setting for identifying a specific type of microorganism. For instance,
This study source was downloaded by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 09-24-2025 07:09:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248339655/BIO250LV2Lab4docx/
, Lab 4 Selective Media & BIO250
when a patient presents with meningitis symptoms, a doctorLmay
Agar
prescribe a cerebrospinal
This study source was downloaded by 100000897367967 from CourseHero.com on 09-24-2025 07:09:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/248339655/BIO250LV2Lab4docx/
