Question

Explain in a paragraph format the different methods that are used in microbiology for the isolation, identification, and growth of different types of microbes.

Answer 1

In microbiology, isolation is technique of separating single microbe strain from mixed microbes living in natural environment. As many microbes are pathogenic and they inhabit in cells, tissues and organs of host and cause disease. To isolate such microbes pure culture is required and through direct isolation or transfer they can be separated. There are different methods for isolation , they are streaking, plating, dilution, enriched procedure and single cell technique.

Identification is a practical term for classification of microbes. The microbes are divided into bacteria, algae, fungi, archae, multi cellular parasites, protozoa and viruses. Based on cell morphology, means of locomotion and reproduction the microbes can be classified. In laboratory the microbes can be classified based of different cell structure, size, shape and number, DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction and enriched pure culture techniques helps to identity different types of microbes.

Growth of microbes is natural but in laboratory microbes are grown in different culture media. The culture media includes the required essential nutrients for the growth of the microbes. The culture media are classified into derived , non - synthetic or complex , living cells . In other way they are classified as natural, derived, chemical and special media. In laboratory the culture methods employed are enrichment, selective, differential and propogation. These culture methods helps to grow the microbes and reproduce in controlled environment . The culture of microbes helps for research and identification of new species and their morphology .