ORGANIZATION
     This lab project will be completed over 5-6 days. All planning, lab work, observations, interpretations, and conclusions are to be shared by BOTH lab partners. Much of the work to be accomplished by this project will require 1-3 days for the growth of the microorganisms, thus making planning critical if the project is to be completed in the assigned time.
     The grade for this project will be determined using the following criteria:
     1) A checklist of tasks completed. Each task will also be assigned a grade of:
          VG = Very Good      G = Good      F = Fair      P = Poor
     Each lab group is responsible to make sure I see their results as they complete each task so that           a grade may be assigned.
     2) The completed Lab Data Sheets. These data sheets will include requests for drawings, numbers,           and/or descriptions as well as requiring answers to questions.
     3) Your degree of success at identifying an unknown bacteria.

OVERVIEW
     When presented with an unknown bacteria, whether it is from contaminated food or found in a dead animal, scientists perform multiple tests in order to determine the type of bacteria. After the bacteria is identified, the scientists can then determine the degree of contamination and what safety precautions are needed.
     In this project, you will be determining the identification of an unknown bacteria. In order to determine what bacteria might be present in a culture you must perform the five tests listed below.
     1. Culture your unknown bacteria on an agar plate to determine the color, shape and sizes of the           colonies formed.
     2. Complete a motility test of the unknown bacteria to determine if it is motile. Motility is the ability           for bacteria to move by either cilia, flagella, or pseudopodia.
     3. Perform a catalase test to determine if the bacteria produces the enzyme catalase, which           detoxifies (indicated by bubbling) hydrogen peroxide.
     4. View a simple stain of the unknown bacteria to determine the shape and arrangement.
     5. View a gram stain of the unknown bacteria to determine if it is gram positive or gram negative.

CHECKLIST
Check   Grade    Activity
  Day 1
____     ____      Make Plate #1 : Exposed to Air
____     ____      Make Plate #2 : Finger
____     ____      Make Plate #3 : Simple “S” streak of Unknown Bacteria
____     ____      Make Plate #4 : E. coli “field”
____     ____      Make Plate #5 : Full streak plate of L. lactis & S. marcescens mixture

Day 2
____      Record colony information in Table 1 (Plates 1,2,3) & Answer questions below
____      Make 3 Motility Stabs: L. lactis, S. marcescens, Unknown bacteria
____      Record colony information for Unknown bacteria (Plate 3) in Table 6

Day 3
____      Record colony information in Table 2 (Plates 4,5) & Answer question below
____      Do 3 Catalase Tests & Record in Table 3:
____      ____L. lactis     ____S. marcescens     ____Unknown bacteria
____      Check 3 Motility Stabs & Record in Table 3:
____      ____L. lactis     ____S. marcescens     ____ Unknown bacteria
____      Record Catalase & Motility results for Unknown bacteria in Table 6

Day 4
____      Complete 3 Simple Stains & Record in Table 4:
____      ____E. coli,     ____L. lactis,     ____Unknown bacteria
____      Record simple staining results for Unknown bacteria in Table 6

Day 5
____      Complete 3 Gram Stains & Record in Table 5:
____      ____E. coli,     ____B. cereus,     ____Unknown bacteria
____      Record gram staining results for Unknown bacteria in Table 6
____      Use handout entitled “Bacteria Identification Expected Results” to identify your bacteria