Culturing and colony data lab
Mon, Oct 5, 2026 · Week 7 · Genetics of Disease (Medical Interventions)
Today's goal: Streak and incubate a culture, then count and describe colonies to gather data on bacterial growth.
This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.
I streaked my plate using aseptic technique, labeled it with my initials, the date, and 'Sample 1,' and incubated it. After growth, I counted and described the colonies.
Target colonies: I counted 14 colonies that all looked the same, which suggests a pure culture descended from one strain. Each was small (about 1 mm), cream colored, round, and had a smooth edge.
Contamination: I found 2 colonies that looked different (larger, yellow, fuzzy edges). I did not count these as target colonies because they are a different organism. I recorded them separately so my analysis stays clean.
Conclusion note: Because almost all my colonies share one morphology, I am confident most of the plate is my target strain.
| Group | Count | Size | Color | Shape | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | 14 | ~1 mm | cream | round | smooth |
| Contamination | 2 | ~3 mm | yellow | irregular | fuzzy |
This model shows the level of evidence and organization needed to complete: Completes the culturing lab data collection: a colony count with morphology descriptions for target colonies and a separate tally for any contamination colonies.
- Name the variables and include units.
- Enter observations without changing the raw values.
- Check labels, calculations, and patterns before interpreting the data.
Keep the structure. Replace the question, facts, measurements, and evidence. Then recheck units, vocabulary, and whether the conclusion goes beyond the evidence.
Also due today: Photograph your plate and table and bring them to the mutation and HGT analysis.
Turn in: Colony data table
Go to Schoology to turn this in.
Submit one PDF. Put your first and last name in the document header. Name the file: FirstName LastName - Assignment Title - YYYY-MM-DD.pdf.
Open Schoology PDF upload helpIf you cannot get in, see Mr. Mendoza. Do not skip the work.
Claim ceiling: Today's evidence supports a classroom claim about today's lesson. It cannot prove causation, diagnose a real patient, or justify action outside this room.
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.
It builds this reusable test skill: Reading colony morphology on a streak plate to judge culture purity.
- Name the concept or data pattern being tested.
- Cross out choices that violate that rule or the evidence.
- Justify the best remaining choice before checking the answer.