BMS 504 Exam study Guide (latest update
2025-2026) Practical Review Questions
with Complete Solutions {Grade A}
Indole test - correct answer Tests organisms ability to breakdown Tryptophan to
indole. Utilized Kovac's reagent. Positive - Red, Negative- No color change
Methyl Red Test Results - correct answer positive - red
negative - yellow
Measures the production of mixed acids by fermentation of glucose
Voges-Proskauer Test - correct answer *Postive VP Test:*
-color change to red, 2.3-butanediol fermentation (acetoin produced).
*Negative VP Test:*
-No color change, no 2,3 butanediol fermentation (acetoin is not produced).
Measures the production of the neutral end product acetoin by fermentation of
glucose
Citrate test results - correct answer positive: blue
negative: green
ability of an organism to use citrate as its sole carbon source (instead of utilizing
glucose)
oxidase test results - correct answer Color change to purple is positive. (Cue tip test)
identifies bacteria that have cytochrome oxidase (e.g., Pseudomonas)
, BMS 504 Exam study Guide (latest update
2025-2026) Practical Review Questions
with Complete Solutions {Grade A}
Bile Esculin Test Results - correct answer Blackening of more than half of the agar
slant, if the medium containing ferric ammonium citrate is used
Catalase test results - correct answer positive: bubbles
negative: no bubbles
used to identify organisms that produce the enzyme catalase
purpose of aseptic technique - correct answer to achieve/maintain a pure culture
Proper application of aseptic technique - correct answer Part of successful aseptic
technique is the realizing that despite the fact you are unable to see microorganisms
on surfaces and materials, or in liquid and the air, microorganisms are there. Any item
that is not sterilized may contain microorganisms and those organisms may
contaminate our culture.
Gram stain - correct answer A staining method that distinguishes between two
different kinds of bacterial cell walls.
How to do a gram stain - correct answer 1. Prepare a bacterial smear and fix cells with
heat.
2. Crystal Violet - 1 min
3. Rinse
2025-2026) Practical Review Questions
with Complete Solutions {Grade A}
Indole test - correct answer Tests organisms ability to breakdown Tryptophan to
indole. Utilized Kovac's reagent. Positive - Red, Negative- No color change
Methyl Red Test Results - correct answer positive - red
negative - yellow
Measures the production of mixed acids by fermentation of glucose
Voges-Proskauer Test - correct answer *Postive VP Test:*
-color change to red, 2.3-butanediol fermentation (acetoin produced).
*Negative VP Test:*
-No color change, no 2,3 butanediol fermentation (acetoin is not produced).
Measures the production of the neutral end product acetoin by fermentation of
glucose
Citrate test results - correct answer positive: blue
negative: green
ability of an organism to use citrate as its sole carbon source (instead of utilizing
glucose)
oxidase test results - correct answer Color change to purple is positive. (Cue tip test)
identifies bacteria that have cytochrome oxidase (e.g., Pseudomonas)
, BMS 504 Exam study Guide (latest update
2025-2026) Practical Review Questions
with Complete Solutions {Grade A}
Bile Esculin Test Results - correct answer Blackening of more than half of the agar
slant, if the medium containing ferric ammonium citrate is used
Catalase test results - correct answer positive: bubbles
negative: no bubbles
used to identify organisms that produce the enzyme catalase
purpose of aseptic technique - correct answer to achieve/maintain a pure culture
Proper application of aseptic technique - correct answer Part of successful aseptic
technique is the realizing that despite the fact you are unable to see microorganisms
on surfaces and materials, or in liquid and the air, microorganisms are there. Any item
that is not sterilized may contain microorganisms and those organisms may
contaminate our culture.
Gram stain - correct answer A staining method that distinguishes between two
different kinds of bacterial cell walls.
How to do a gram stain - correct answer 1. Prepare a bacterial smear and fix cells with
heat.
2. Crystal Violet - 1 min
3. Rinse
