Science at home

HOME MADE PETRIDISH

Microorganisms are grown in a variety of mediums in the microbiology laboratory. Nutrient agar is commonly
used in laboratories, although it can be costly to purchase and difficult to prepare at home. Various species of
fungi, as well as some bacteria, can thrive on gelatin plates. Only microorganisms that use the enzyme
gelatinase will be able to digest gelatin as a protein source. If you opt to raise organisms that can utilize gelatin
as a nutrient source, the gelatin will become more liquid when the microorganisms break it down.

Potential Hazards

THE STOVE TOP AND PAN WILL BE HOT. Boiling water will be required in this project, so keep an eye
on the pan to make sure the water does not boil over and scald your skin. When pouring the mixture into the foil
cups, make sure you do not get it on your skin. 

Supplies needed;
1 sachet Unflavored clear Gelatin
3 cups water
2 teaspoon sugar
4 beef cubes
6 round disposable containers

Equipment:
Small pot
Measuring cup and measuring spoon

Step 1
GATHER AND MIXED THE INGREDIENTS

In the pot, mix:

· 2 beef cubes
· 1 sachet Unflavored clear Gelatin
· 3 cups of cold water
· 2 teaspoons of sugar
Step 2
BOIL AND STIR
After placing all the ingredients in the water, allow it to boil while constantly stirring the mixture.

Step 3
COOLING
Once the mixture is free of clumps, take the pot off of the stove and allow it to cool.

Step 4
TRANSFER IN THE DISPOSABLE CONTAINERS

After the mixture has cooled for about 5-10 minutes, pour the mixture
into the 6 disposable containers. Fill each of the containers about
halfway full.

Step 5:
ALLOW THE GELATIN TO SOLIDIFY
Once each cup has been filled, allow the mixture to
harden. This process can be expedited by placing the
cups in the refrigerator. Solidification should take
around 20 minutes.
Step 6: STORING THE GELATIN PLATES

After the mixture has solidified, cover with cut cellophane and
seal it using a rubber band. This prevents any external
contaminants from coming into contact with the surface of the
gelatin. If you plan on inoculating the plates, do so within a few
days in order to obtain the best results.

4 5
1 2 3
Step 7: Troubleshooting
After completing the previous steps, the gelatin should appear dark red.
The mixture should not move too easily when the disposable containers is jostled. If the mixture fails to solidify
after refrigeration that means there was not enough gelatin in the mixture. You added too much water. Add 2
envelopes of gelatin if this is the case. If the mixture is sticky, too much gelatin was added. In this case, use half
envelope of gelatin instead of 1.
If there is anything unclear in these instructions please let me know, feedback is welcomed.

Reference:
1. Homemade Gelatin Plates for Growing Microorganisms [Internet]. Instructables. 2021 [cited 10
September 2021]. Available from: https://www.instructables.com/Homemade-Nutrient-Agar/

It’s time to collect some bacteria!

INOCULATION OF AGAR PLATES USING COTTON SWAB

A cotton swab is usually used to obtain a sample from a patient or an environmental source. And occasionally
from a culture grown in the laboratory. Sterile swabs may be dry or they may be in sterile water, depending on
the sample source. Care must be taken not to contaminate the swab by touching other surfaces. Transfer to the
growth media as quickly as possible.

1. Use a cotton swab and wipe it along a surface you have chosen to test thoroughly.
2. Removed the rubber band and open the cellophane lid of the disposable container.
3. Hold the swab comfortably in one hand and lightly drag the cotton swab across the agar surface in
zigzag pattern. Dispose of the swab in proper receptacle.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 in order to fill all the disposable container except for the control which
should be empty to see if any bacteria were airborne and introduced through the opening and
closing of the container. Make sure to leave 1 disposable container as a control or section where no
bacteria will be plated.
5. Cover the container with the cellophane and fasten it with rubber band. Label the disposable container
with date and type of environmental source sample.
6. Record your Day 1 observations on the Data Sheet attached.
7. Place the disposable container inside box, in an inverted position. Store in a dry and warm area. Leave
the disposable container in a warm, dark place where the bacteria can develop, undisturbed, for several
days. The ideal temperature for growing bacteria is around 980 F (37 0C). Similar to human body
temperature!
8. Leave the petri dishes in their warm dark place for 4-6 days, checking on them each day and writing
down and drawing observations based of their appearance, smell, and size on the Data Sheet.
9. After the 4-6 days record your final observations and compare your results with other classmates
and complete the discussion and conclusion questions attached.
Student Name: _______________________________ Date: ________________

DATA SHEET

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3

Diagram: Diagram: Diagram:

Observations:
Observations: Observations:

DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6

Diagram: Diagram: Diagram:
 Observations: Observations: Observations:

Discussion Questions:

1. How extensive was the growth of the “control” section of your petri dishes? Did this surprise you? Explain.

2. What area has the most and least bacteria based off of the classroom data? Explain why you think this might be.

3. Was their bacteria growth in the “control” section of your petri dish?

4. What you believe the ideal “microbiome” is?

5. Does all the bacteria look the same? Did the bacteria all grow in a certain pattern? If yes what are the main
characteristics of it? If no what are some of the differing characteristics of it?

6. Do you believe that you have grown different varieties or species of bacteria?

7. What do you believe the purpose of antibacterial soap and hand sanitizers are? Do you think they are important?
Explain why.

Conclusion Questions:

1. What is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

2. What is binary fission?

3. How would the temperature of the environment affect the growth of these bacteria?

4. What in the bacteria’s environment gave it the ability and energy to grow?

5. What is an example of a helpful and harmful bacteria that is not mentioned in this lab?

6. What is the difference between viruses and bacteria?

7. What are some components that must be present in order for bacteria to grow?

8. What are some potential areas of error in this lab experiment?

9. If you were to do this lab over again what would you do differently?
Extensions:
Explore some different methods of inhibiting bacterial growth. Try plating bacteria using these different methods
and see if it affects your bacteria growth.