Interesting...

So we have more results and possibly a contradictory one. Lets start with our Thioglycollate test which shows us the type of environment our bacteria can grow in. In our test tube, the bacteria grew all throughout the tube! This told us that our bacteria H has facilitated growth meaning it can grow with or without oxygen in the environment.

So it's hard to see, but there is bacteria all throughout the tube

The school photographer also came to our class in order to take some picture. It was a little awkward at times to say the least.

Anyway, moving on to other things.

Next we looked at our last enzyme test which was on DNA agar. We had to add hydrochloric acid to the plate in order to see the result.

Our bacteria was as you can guess.........negative. For each of these tests we split the plates in half so our bacteria is the yellow one and it should be growing in the shape of J and M. With this test being negative, it tells us that our bacteria does not have the enzyme used to break down DNA.

Now we will look at our last five tests. These were all on selective or differential media. They will tell us where our bacteria can grow.



First is blood agar. Our bacteria grew, but did not have the ability to lyse red blood cells (in other word break them down).

The next one was EMB (eosin methylene blue). This one was negative as it was lacking any growth what so ever. Some of these tests we don't know yet what the results mean, but Dr. P. assured us that we will be learning about it in lecture soon.

The Mannitol Salt agar was then under scrutiny.  Since this agar is a salt most bacteria won't grow here because of the hypertonic state. The salt will draw all the water out of the bacteria and it will die. This is why pickled foods last so long because lots os bacteria cannot grow in the salty environment. Our bacteria is the one above the line and it did not survive.

Our fourth one is the MacConkey agar. This one is suppose to inhibit gram-positive bacteria. Other then that all we know it that we had no growth. What this result means, again we do not know yet.

The fifth and final test to look at was the PEA test (Phenylethyl Alcohol Agar). This one was interesting because this agar inhibits or slows gram-negative growth. We beleaved that from our gram stain that our bacteria was gram-negative. The problem though is that we has growth on this plate!!

The amount is very small so it could be that our mystery H bacteria was still able in some way to grow just a tiny bit, but it still makes us question if our original thoughts was wrong. Next week we may repeat the gram stain and see if we still come up with the same results. Until then, have a safe weekend!!