Culturing Microorganisms GCSE Practical

GCSE Biology Required Practical - Culturing Microorganisms

Investigate the effects of antiseptics, antibiotics or plant extracts on microbial cultures.

• This practical provides the opportunity for learners to carry out aseptic techniques.
• Petri dishes pre-poured with agar must be inoculated with bacteria and discs of antiseptic/antibiotics/plant extracts can be used to determine their effect on bacterial growth.
• Sterile aseptic technique must include the use of a Bunsen burner.

Microbiology - GCSE Science Required Practical (Triple)
How to prepare a culture of E.coli bacteria to test antibiotics on?

00:00 Preparing agar plate (aseptic technique)
03:22 Adding bacteria
07:38 Adding antibiotics discs
11:14 Sealing plate
13:24 Analysing results

Required Practical: Culturing Microorganisms

1. How we can culture bacteria?
2. How we can use these techniques to investigate the effect of antibiotics on bacterial growth?

• Show Video

Check out the sample question and solution on Sample Assessment Material (page 27), paper 1BI0/1BH and 1BIO/1BF.

Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterium that causes communicable infections.
(a) Scientists tested the ability of two antiseptics to kill Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.
They spread Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria on two agar jelly plates and places a small disc of filter paper containing antiseptic at the centre of each dish.

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

We welcome your feedback, comments and questions about this site or page. Please submit your feedback or enquiries via our Feedback page.