Bacterial growth in cultures
Bacterial growth
In order to identify the pathogen it may be necessary to grow the bacteria in a Growing cells in the laboratory. The conditions are carefully controlled. The cells are grown in or on a growth medium. They are often kept warm in an incubator., under carefully controlled conditions. In the right conditions Single-celled microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic in humans, animals and plants. Singular is bacterium. can replicate approximately every 20 minutes. If it is colder or there are not enough nutrients they will multiply more slowly.
A liquid or jelly, eg agar used in cell culture. It contains nutrients to enable the growth of cells. is a liquid or gel which provides all the nutrients needed for bacteria to grow successfully. These must include: carbohydrates for energy, nitrogen for The production of proteins from amino acids, which happens in the ribosomes of the cell., and other minerals.
A Petri dish that contains agar gel and usually some nutrients. Agar plates are used to culture (grow) bacteria and fungi in the lab. are created by pouring hot molten agar-based growth medium into sterile A clear glass or plastic dish, used to grow living cells from organisms so they can be studied., where the agar is allowed to set. Bacteria can be spread onto the plates using a wire loop. After a day or two they will have grown into individual A visible cluster of microorganisms. of the specific bacterium.
Microorganisms and bacteria
The culture conditions can be changed to suit the pathogen which is being grown. Their preferred growing conditions can help us identify them.