Bio 504Name:

Virtual Lab

Investigating Bacterial Growth

Adapted from:

WOW Biolab. (n.d.).ClassZone. Retrieved October 16, 2013, from

Instructions:

1) Go to the following website:

2) Click on lab “Investigating Bacterial Growth”

3) Read and listen to problem and background sections.

4) Explore the lab. Become familiar with all materials you will need to complete the procedure.

5) Complete the lab report made available to you rather than the “notebook” on the screen.

Aim: To determine if bacteria could survive the canning process.

Investigation/Background information:(2)

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Hypothesis: (2)

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Materials:(3)

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Procedure:

Follow steps described in virtual lab.

Results:(3)

Table 1. Observations of bacterial growth in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

vial / bacteria species / observations
amount of growth in Medium A (environment with oxygen) / location of growth in Medium B (environment without oxygen)
#1 / Bacillus stearothermophilus
#2 / Clostridium sporogenes
#3 / Escherichia coli

Analysis/Conclusion:

1)Based on your observations, complete the table below. Enter one of the following: “needs oxygen”, “does not need oxygen”, “can grow with or without oxygen”. (3)

bacteria species / oxygen needs
Bacillus stearothermophilus
Clostridium sporogenes
Escherichia coli

2)Identify each bacteria studied as aerobic and/or anaerobic. (3)

B. stearothermophilus: ______

C. sporogenes:______

E. coli: ______

3)Based on your observations, is it possible that bacteria can thrive in a sealed can and cause vegetables to spoil? Justify your answer. (2)

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4)Name 2 factors in addition to oxygen that might influence the growth of different types of bacteria? (2)

a) ______

b) ______

5)Scientists hypothesize that bacteria may have been among the first living organisms on Earth. If this is true, what type of bacteria do you believe was the first to develop? Explain your answer. (2)

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