Group Members:

MORADA, KATE BERNADETTE

GARAY, CLARISE BERNADETHE
PAUBSANON, LOUISE BEATRICE
INCIONG, EMMANUEL KYLE

Formative Assessment 2: VLA2: Bacteria Growth Virtual Lab

I. INTRODUCTION

Microorganisms are everywhere - a largely unseen world of activities that helped

to create the biosphere and that continue to support the life processes on earth. So,
Welcome to the Microbial World. In fact, you are part of it. Of all the cells that make up
the normal, healthy human body, more than 99 percent are the cells of microorganisms
living on the skin or in the gut, etc. This normal resident microbial population includes
potential pathogens as well as organisms that help to keep the potential pathogens in
check

II. OBJECTIVES
After viewing the short video, reading the info sheet and virtual lab activity for this
module, you will be able to:
1. explain the size of bacteria
2. classify bacteria based on the shape and arrangements
3. explain the factors affecting the growth of bacteria
Specifically, This bacterial growth simulation allows students to work on experimental
design, controlling variables and other aspects of the scientific method.

III. PROCEDURE:
1. Using the set up from the link given http://bit.ly/3on9JjN, work on experimental design,
controlling variables and other aspects of the scientific method by changing the setting
for each of these factors.
2. Discuss the virtual set up you opted to tick.
3. Answer the guide questions in complete sentence(s).
IV. GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. What happen to the experimental design you set (temperature, amount of
substance A added, amount of substance B added and experimental duration)?

Conducting the experimental design involves tests wherein purposeful

adjustments are implemented to the input variables of a system or process and the
implications on response variables are assessed. Experiments show that bacterial
growth is affected by changes in temperature, substance, and the use of aseptic
technique. Moreover, Bacteria that develop at temperatures ranging from 5oC to 40oC
were discovered in the virtual lab. Bacteria begin to multiply every day, both with and
without the aseptic technique. At the optimal growth temperature for the bacterium, the
growth rates are the fastest. The organism's minimum growth temperature is the lowest
temperature at which it can function normally. Its maximum growth temperature is the
highest temperature at which growth can take place. Basically, bacteria grow at a
temperature range, At the optimal temperature, maximum growth takes place.
 Bacteria can thrive from hot and cold temperatures, said that Bacteria can
survive in extreme hot or cold conditions since cold pressure substances help the
bacteria survive in temperatures lower than the optimum growth temperature and
binding proteins present in bacteria help the bacteria survive in temperatures higher
than the optimum temperatures, possibly through cell fusion and prokaryotic nucleoid
organization.

2. What are the advisable set up based on your experimental design

(temperature, amount of substance A added, amount of substance B added
and experimental duration)?

It is important to isolate a microorganism from all other organisms and maintain

it in pure culture in order to study and characterize it. Pure cultures of bacteria are
continuously manipulated in the microbiology laboratory for the purpose of performing
tests or simply maintaining a live culture. To maintain purity, these procedures require
sterile or aseptic techniques. In the lab, aseptic techniques prevent contamination of a
pure culture as well as contamination of the experimenter or others in the lab. Working
efficiently in a microbiology laboratory requires practicing good aseptic technique. As
such before using petri dishes to grow bacteria, they must be properly sterilized;
otherwise, the experiment's results may be compromised. Moreover, bacterial growth is
defined as an increase in the number of cells rather than the size of the cells. Bacterial
growth is influenced by temperature, therefore it's important to understand what
temperature is ideal for them to grow at and what temperature would cause them to
cease growing. As a result, temperature and other variables may influence the rate of
bacteria growth in your dishes. There will be multiple round dots of growth which are
called bacteria colonies. Bacteria of several types may be present in the dishes. Colors
and textures will vary depending on the type of colony.

3. What happen to the controlling variables and other aspects of the scientific
method you set (nutrients in agar, initial amount of bacteria added, bacteria
source and type and use of aseptic technique)?

Looking into the 1st question, microorganism growth is influenced by both low
and high temperatures. As a result, knowing the lower and upper constraints, as well
as determining the optimal temperature for microorganism growth, is essential.
Moreover, the bacteria converges towards a similar structure and mass regardless of
the storage temperature. Per the simulation, bacterial growth occurs when the
temperature is set between 5oC to 40oC.

As for the aseptic technique, it is used in the microbiology lab to prevent

pathogens of the particular bacteria we are operating with and Inhibit the
microorganism we're working with from contaminating the room and personnel.
Moreover, This sterilizes and maintains the sterility of an object such as an operating
virtual laboratory though remedy may also be provided to avoid contamination. In the
simulation, the aseptic technique implies that the petri dish is free of environmental
sources of contamination while not using aseptic technique, this exposes itself to
microorganisms in the environment.

Per the nutrients in agar, this shows a function wherein it feeds and expands the
bacteria and other microorganisms. This functions as a culture, providing nutrients and
a place for these items to grow, but microorganisms are unable to consume and
destroy it because it is resistant to digestion. In addition, this contains nutrients which
are necessary for bacterial growth. From the simulation, with the use of nutrients in
agar; this allows the expansion of a diverse range of microorganisms.
 4. What are the advisable set up based on the controlling variables and other
aspects of the scientific method you set(nutrients in agar, initial amount of bacteria
added, bacteria source and type and use of aseptic technique)?

Bacteria and other microorganisms must be grown in the laboratory under

controlled conditions in order to be studied. Growth media contain different nutrients
necessary to sustain the growth of microorganisms. One of the commonly used
physical forms of growth media is the solid growth media. A solid growth media usually
contains agar, which is a mixture of polysaccharides derived from red algae. It is used
as a solidification agent because it is not broken down by bacteria, contains no
nutrients that can be used by bacteria and melts at high temperatures, and yet is solid
at temperatures which provides an ideal growing surface for many different types of
bacteria. In the virtual lab, solid growth media is used in the form of agar plates and it is
made by pouring melted agar into a petri dish. This agar plate can be used to separate
mixtures of bacteria and to observe colony characteristics of different species of
bacteria performed in the virtual lab. Before proceeding, allow the agar solution to cool
for a few minutes. And when the solution is ready, the agar powder should be
completely dissolved and the liquid should be clear in color. Whereas if you don't plan
on using the agar-filled Petri dishes immediately, they should be stored in the
refrigerator to prevent the water inside the dishes from evaporating since bacteria need
a moist environment to grow. It also allows the agar's surface to harden gradually,
preventing tearing or gouging while transferring bacteria samples. Petri dishes should
be placed upside down in the refrigerator when being stored. This keeps any moisture
on the cover from dripping down onto the growing area and disrupting it. Moreover, as
mentioned above, aseptic techniques are practices that impede the contamination of
growth media. When working in a microbiology laboratory, keep in mind that bacteria
can be found on all lab surfaces, as well as on your hands and clothing. Aseptic
techniques are used to prevent the transfer of bacteria from the surrounding
environment into a culture medium. Also, petri dishes must be completely sterilized
before they are used for growing bacteria, otherwise, the results of the experiment
could be affected.

5. In combining the set up you made on experimental design, controlling

variables and other aspects of the scientific method, what do you think are the
necessary considerations for these factors?

Upon doing the experiment, one of the necessary considerations for these
factors is having a controlled experiment. Controlling an experiment is vital to achieve
that the results obtained weren't just random occurrences. In addition, with the
controlled experiment, internal validity refers to the ability to demonstrate a
cause-and-effect relationship among the variables. Consequently, the use of
experimental controls ensures a proper quantification, such as the temperature and the
appropriate amount of substance a and b displayed on the simulation.
 Aside from conducting a controlled experiment, variability and repetition of these
variables are essential especially when controlling the experiment. This will help
determine the results and would aid in proving the validity of the hypothesis. Moreover,
another thing to consider is that these factors may not appear consistently during the
experiment. These variables greatly influence the result of the experiment. Hence,
knowing the positive and negative impacts of these is vital. Understanding what type of
variables are needed and are used in the experiment also works well for having
successful results.

Realization:

With this experiment, we have come to the conclusion that bacteria and
microorganisms live in environments - those we see and cannot see. In everyday life, it is
inevitable that we will come across them. That said, they are part of us for they also live in
our bodies whether we like it or not. These can either help or harm us. Each microbe is
distinct from the others. They come in different shapes, colors, and sizes. Certain situations
and factors may cause some people to respond. Nonetheless, these microbes are the
foundation of all living things.

Aside from the practical functions of these microorganisms, the key factors which help
bacterial growth depend on the amount, types, and sources of the bacteria present.
Moreover, the factors affecting bacterial growth include temperature, amount of substances,
and duration of the testing. The said factors help us determine the results of this experiment.
These variables are the most important part of the experiment. Thus, controlling them is
essential. Furthermore, with the use of this controlled experiment, results were deemed
successful.
Reference(s):

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(n.d.). Temperature and Microbial Growth . Retrieved from:

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/microbiology/chapter/temperature-and-microbial-gro
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(2017, July 31). Vadsten, O., Hoel, S. & Jakobsen, A N. Effects of storage temperature
on bacterial growth rates and community structure in fresh retail sushi. Retrieved from:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28654203/

(n.d.) Greenwood, M. Aseptic Technique in Microbiology. Retrieved from:

https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/Aseptic-Techniques-in-Microbiology.aspx

Petersen, J., & McLaughlin, S. (2021, June 16). 2.1: Introduction Growth Media.
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Juncker, M., & Kumar, P. S. (n.d.). How to Grow Bacteria in a Petri Dish. Retrieved from
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Controlled experiments (article). (2020). Khan Academy.

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/intro-to-biology/science-of-biology/a/experim

nts-and-observations