MixedUnknownDirectionsandIdentificationForm.pdf

BIO-2010 Microbiology

Mixed Unknown Activity / Experiment

Directions:

The mixed unknown exercise has been modified for the online experience. You will be
receiving PowerPoint images for “Day 1” of your unknown. These images include the Gram
stains for both organisms, and isolated colonies on MacConkey’s (Gram-) and Columbia
CNA (Gram+) agars. We have created individual Discussion Board threads in your
Blackboard site in which you will be able to find your PowerPoint images. The ultimate goal
of this experiment is to determine the identity of the two bacterial species that you have
been given, and writing them in proper binomial nomenclature.

Please find the Mixed Unknown Worksheet below. On the day that the assignment window
begins, you will be given your images. IN ORDER TO MAKE YOUR FINAL SPECIES
IDENTIFICATION, YOU WILL NEED TO USE THE INFORMATION IN THOSE IMAGES TO
ORDER ADDITIONAL TESTS. You will get two media test request deadlines that you can
request a total of six (6) tests for each organism—for a total of twelve (12). By the first
deadline, you should a few tests that you believe are indicated for your organism(s).
Make sure to indicate if you are ing the test for your Gram+ or Gram –
organism. Your instructor will respond with your results for those tests, if indicated. Once
you analyze the first set of tests, you may have one additional set of media requests that
you believe will narrow down your specific organism. IF YOU DO NOT ORDER MEDIA BY
THE FIRST DEADLINE, YOU WILL ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO ORDER MEDIA.

When ing media, you MUST use the correct name of the test requested (ex.:
‘Skim Milk Agar’ test, not ‘casein’, ‘Starch Agar’, not ‘amylase’, etc.). You will
need to have all of the information on this sheet filled out before uploading it to your
discussion board thread that has been created for you. Any portion not filled out when you
turn it in, will result in no points for that section. You must include the genus and species
of your organism, spelled out completely, in proper binomial nomenclature, to receive full
credit. YOU MUST CORRECTLY IDENTIFY THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF BOTH
ORGANISMS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT.

Since MacConkey’s and CNA are already provided, you do not need to them in your
‘TEST MEDIA REQUESTED” section of the table, but you should interpret the results in the
second table of your mixed unknown identification form. For tests that require several
results (ex.: IMVIC, carbohydrate fermentation, etc.), please provide the results in such a
way that they are easy to understand. For example:

• +/+/-/- could be a way to write your IMVIC results
• G: A/+, S: -/-, L: A/- could be a way to write your carbohydrate fermentation results

MIXED UNKNOWN IDENTIFICATION FORM

Print Name: Lab Section:

Signature:

Unknown Specimen Number:
(-5 if left blank or the incorrect number. This is your patient ID. Neglecting to label or mislabeling results in patient death s.)

REQUESTING TEST MEDIA

DO NOT TAKE MEDIA FROM MEDIA BENCH WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM YOUR INSTRUCTOR.
Reagents & hydrogen peroxide (if requesting catalase test) DO NOT have to be requested.

Before coming to the Media Bench:

1. Fill each test media in the correct column in the correct starting from #1. Use an ink pen.
2. Prepare all your labels.
3. Bring a test tube rack, if you are requesting tube media.
4. Bring these to the Media Bench where your instructor will provide you with the requested media.

TEST MEDIA REQUESTED

For Gram-Positive Organism For Gram-Negative Organism
#1 #1
#2 #2
#3 #3
#4 #4
#5 #5
#6 #6

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS & TEST RESULTS
points For Gram-Positive Organism points For Gram-Negative Organism
Gram Stain Reaction: Gram Stain Reaction:

5 Cell Morphology: 5 Cell Morphology:
5 Cell Arrangement: 5 Cell Arrangement:

20 TEST RESULT(S) 20 TEST RESULT(S)
#1 #1
#2 #2
#3 #3
#4 #4
#5 #5
#6 #6
#7 #7

20
Genus & Species:

20
Genus & Species:

For Instructor’s Use ONLY
Stock Culture Stock Culture
Gram Stain Gram Stain

50 Total Points Earned: 50 Total Points Earned: