This microbiology laboratory manual provides hands-on instruction in microbiological techniques, microbial identification, and medical applications. Students develop foundational skills in laboratory safety, microscopy, staining, aseptic techniques, microbial culture, and analysis of microbial growth conditions. The manual explores eukaryotic microbes, bacterial structure and identification, environmental influences on microbial growth, antimicrobial testing, bacteriophages, and diagnostic methods. Additional exercises focus on unknown bacterial identification, medical microbiology, disease tracking, and serological testing to connect laboratory methods with real-world applications in health and research.
Features and Resources for Students
Acknowledgments
Unit 1 Microscopy and Eukaryotic Microbes
Introduction to Safety and Handwashing
Exercise 1 Lab Safety and General Microbiology Procedures
Exercise 2 Effective Handwashing
Introduction to Microscopy
Exercise 3 Bright Field Microscopy
Introduction to Eukaryotic Microbes
Exercise 4 Protists and Pond Water
Exercise 5 Fungi of Medical and Economic Importance
Exercise 6 Protozoans of Medical Importance
Exercise 7 Parasitic Helminths
Unit 2 Staining and Culture Methods
Exercise 8 Ubiquity of Microorganisms
Exercise 9 Aseptic Techniques
Introduction to Bacterial Structure and Staining
Exercise 10 Smear Preparation and Simple Stain
Exercise 11 Negative Stain
Introduction to Differential Stains
Exercise 12 Gram Stain
Exercise 13 Acid-Fast Stains
Introduction to Structural Stains
Exercise 14 Endospore Stain
Exercise 15 Capsule Stain
Exercise 16 Motility and Flagella Arrangements
Introduction to Environmental Factors Affecting Microbial Growth....115
Exercise 17 Pure Culture Techniques
Exercise 18 Effect of Nutrients on Bacterial Growth
Exercise 19 Effect of Temperature on Bacterial Growth
Exercise 20 Effect of Oxygen on Bacterial Growth
Exercise 21 Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation on Bacterial Growth
Exercise 22 Bacterial Counts on Food
Exercise 23 Bacteriological Examination of Water: Most Probable Number
Exercise 24 Fermentation in Food Production
Exercise 25 Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test
Exercise 26 Evaluation of Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Introduction to Acellular Microbes
Exercise 27 Phage Titer
Exercise 28 Phage Typing
Unit 3 Identification of an Unknown and Medical Studies
Exercise 29 Stock Cultures and Bacterial Morphology
Introduction to Cultural Characteristics
Exercise 30 Colony Morphology
Exercise 31 Growth Patterns in Broth
Exercise 32 Growth Patterns on Slants
Introduction to Respiration Tests
Exercise 33 Oxygen Requirements Using FTM
Exercise 34 Catalase Test
Exercise 35 Oxidase Test
Exercise 36 Nitrate Reduction Test
Introduction to Fermentation Tests
Exercise 37 Fermentation of Sugars Using Phenol Red Broth
Exercise 38 Methyl Red and Voges–Proskauer Tests
Introduction to Hydrolysis Tests
Exercise 39 Starch Hydrolysis Test
Exercise 40 Casein Hydrolysis Test
Exercise 41 Lipid Hydrolysis Test
Exercise 42 Gelatin Hydrolysis Test
Exercise 43 Urea Hydrolysis Test
Introduction to Degradative Tests
Exercise 44 Citrate Utilization Test
Exercise 45 Phenylalanine Deamination Test
Exercise 46 SIM Medium: Sulfur Reduction, Indole Production, and Motility
Introduction to Methods of Identification
Exercise 47 Final Identification of Unknown Bacterium
Exercise 48 Rapid Multi-Test System for Enteric Bacteria
Introduction to Medical Microbiology
Exercise 49 Tracking Diseases in Populations
Exercise 50 Synthetic Epidemic Simulation
Exercise 41 Serology: Slide Agglutination Test
Exercise 52 Serology: Latex Agglutination Test
Appendix: List of Bacteria Used in This Manual
Janet
Dowding
Dr. Janet Dowding is a professor of Biology and Microbiology at Miami Dade College in the Department of Life Sciences, Health and Wellness.
Mary
Fortner
Mary Fortner is a Biology Lab Manager at Miami Dade College in the Department of Life Sciences, Health and Wellness.
Avner
Ittah
Dr. Avner Ittah is a professor of Biology at Miami Dade College in the Department of Life Sciences, Health and Wellness.
Meera
Nair
Meera Nair is a professor of Microbiology at Miami Dade College in the Department of Life Sciences, Health and Wellness.