Design your own Microbiology Experiment
You are given an unknown sample containing bacteria (mixed culture). Your job as a Microbiologist is to identify this unknown bacterium and study its growth characteristics, biochemical test reactions, cell wall composition and colony morphology.
Using your knowledge of the Lab Investigations you have performed so far, the five I’s of Microbiology Lab protocols and using information from scientific resources, design a step by step plan on how you will go about identifying the bacterium.
Your assignment should start with an introduction for every step that you are proposing.
Eg: If you are proposing staining, then start with an introduction to staining and do that for each step.
The introduction should be followed by
· Methodology (How will you perform the experiment)
· Data collection
· Expected results and potential conclusion
You do not need to actually conduct the experiment. You have to come up with the detailed step by step plan.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: Identifying Unknown Bacterium in a Mixed Culture Sample
Introduction
In the field of microbiology, the identification of unknown bacteria is a crucial aspect of research and practical applications. By understanding the growth characteristics, biochemical reactions, cell wall composition, and colony morphology of a bacterium, we can determine its potential impact on human health, environment, or industry. In this experiment, we will outline a step-by-step plan to identify an unknown bacterium present in a mixed culture sample using various laboratory techniques.
Step 1: Gram Staining
Introduction
Gram staining is a fundamental technique used to differentiate bacteria based on their cell wall composition. This method categorizes bacteria into two main groups: Gram-positive and Gram-negative.
Methodology
1. Prepare a heat-fixed bacterial smear on a clean glass slide.
2. Apply crystal violet stain for 1 minute, rinse with water.
3. Flood the slide with iodine solution for 1 minute.
4. Decolorize using alcohol briefly, then rinse.
5. Counterstain with safranin for 1 minute, rinse and air dry.
Data Collection
Observe the stained slide under a microscope and record the color of the bacteria (purple or pink).
Expected Results and Potential Conclusion
Gram-positive bacteria will appear purple, while Gram-negative bacteria will appear pink. This information will guide further biochemical tests and identification steps.
Step 2: Biochemical Tests
Introduction
Biochemical tests help determine the metabolic properties of bacteria, such as fermentation, enzyme production, and nutrient utilization.
Methodology
1. Perform catalase test to check for enzyme catalase production.
2. Conduct oxidase test to detect cytochrome c oxidase activity.
3. Perform sugar fermentation tests using specific media.
4. Conduct other relevant biochemical tests based on initial results.
Data Collection
Record observations such as gas production, color changes in media, or other specific test outcomes.
Expected Results and Potential Conclusion
Based on the biochemical test results, we can narrow down the potential identity of the unknown bacterium by comparing its metabolic characteristics with known bacterial profiles.
Step 3: Colony Morphology and Growth Characteristics
Introduction
Colony morphology refers to the appearance of bacterial colonies on agar plates and can provide insights into the growth requirements and characteristics of the bacterium.
Methodology
1. Streak the unknown sample on different agar plates (nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, etc.).
2. Incubate plates at optimal temperature and conditions.
3. Observe colony size, shape, color, texture, and any other visible characteristics.
Data Collection
Document the appearance of colonies on each plate and note any variations between them.
Expected Results and Potential Conclusion
The colony morphology and growth characteristics can help in identifying the unknown bacterium based on its unique features and requirements for growth.
Conclusion
By following these outlined steps of Gram staining, biochemical tests, and colony morphology observation, we can systematically work towards identifying the unknown bacterium present in the mixed culture sample. Each step provides valuable information that contributes to narrowing down the bacterial identity and understanding its significance in various contexts. This comprehensive approach to bacterial identification showcases the importance of microbiological techniques in studying microbial diversity and behavior.
