Exercise 1: Aseptic Technique
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(5) The structure and function of microbes are revealed by the use of microscopy, culture, and metabolic analyses, molecular methods, and bioinformatic tools.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(3) Apply appropriate microbiological, molecular, serological, and bioinformatics methods to isolate and differentiate microorganisms.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 2: Use of the Microscope
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(5) The structure and function of microbes are revealed by the use of microscopy, culture, and metabolic analyses, molecular methods, and bioinformatic tools.
(8) Microbes have unique genomes, structures, and/or biochemical characteristics that distinguish them from each other.
(20) Microbes are ubiquitous, found in diverse and dynamic ecosystems, where they use available resources and often form complex communities.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(2) Properly prepare, view, and analyze specimens using microscopy.
(3) Apply appropriate microbiological, molecular, serological, and bioinformatics methods to isolate and differentiate microorganisms.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 3: Learning about Size, Shape, and Arrangement
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(3) The evolution of microbes is impacted by their interactions with the environment and a variety of ecological forces, including other microbes, humans, and habitats.
(5) The structure and function of microbes are revealed by the use of microscopy, culture, and metabolic analyses, molecular methods, and bioinformatic tools.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1a) Apply scientific methods: Investigate microbial systems.
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(2) Properly prepare, view, and analyze specimens using microscopy.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 4: Growth of Biofilms
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(3) The evolution of microbes is impacted by their interactions with the environment and a variety of ecological forces, including other microbes, humans, and habitats.
(5) The structure and function of microbes are revealed by the use of microscopy, culture, and metabolic analyses, molecular methods, and bioinformatic tools.
(8) Microbes have unique genomes, structures, and/or biochemical characteristics that distinguish them from each other.
(14) Extrinsic factors, such as abiotic and biotic interactions in the environment, can impact survival and growth of microbes.
(20) Microbes are ubiquitous, found in diverse and dynamic ecosystems, where they use available resources and often form complex communities.
(21) Microbes and the environment interact with and affect each other.
(24) Microbes and their communities are essential for supporting all life as we know it.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1a) Apply scientific methods: Investigate microbial systems.
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(2) Properly prepare, view, and analyze specimens using microscopy.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 5: Motility: Dynamics of Growth in the Microbial World
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(5) The structure and function of microbes are revealed by the use of microscopy, culture, and metabolic analyses, molecular methods, and bioinformatic tools.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(2) Properly prepare, view, and analyze specimens using microscopy.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 6: Enumeration of Bacteria
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(5) The structure and function of microbes are revealed by the use of microscopy, culture, and metabolic analyses, molecular methods, and bioinformatic tools.
(10) Microbial reproductive cycles consist of sequential processes.
(13) Intrinsic factors, such as genotype, metabolism, and cell structures, impact the survival and growth of microbes.
(14) Extrinsic factors, such as abiotic and biotic interactions in the environment, can impact survival and growth of microbes.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(1f) Apply scientific methods: Use quantitative reasoning and computational skills, such as mathematical reasoning, graphing, and statistics to evaluate and interpret data in microbiology.
(4) Estimate the number of microorganisms in a sample by direct or indirect means.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 7: An Introduction to the Viruses
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(9) The replication of viruses is determined by their unique structures, DNA or RNA genomes, and the cells they infect.
(11) Obligate intracellular microbes require living host cells for replication.
(19) Non-cellular infectious agents, such as viruses, prions, viroids, and satellites, are dependent on host cell processes in order to replicate.
Exercise 8: Balloon Magic….or is it Yeast Fermentation?
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(5) The structure and function of microbes are revealed by the use of microscopy, culture, and metabolic analyses, molecular methods, and bioinformatic tools.
(10) Microbial reproductive cycles consist of sequential processes.
(13) Intrinsic factors, such as genotype, metabolism, and cell structures, impact the survival and growth of microbes.
(14) Extrinsic factors, such as abiotic and biotic interactions in the environment, can impact survival and growth of microbes.
(21) Microbes and the environment interact with and affect each other.
(24) Microbes and their communities are essential for supporting all life as we know it.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1a) Apply scientific methods: Investigate microbial systems.
(1b) Apply scientific methods: Formulate and design well-controlled experiments.
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 9: Winogradsky Columns
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(3) The evolution of microbes is impacted by their interactions with the environment and a variety of ecological forces, including other microbes, humans, and habitats.
(5) The structure and function of microbes are revealed by the use of microscopy, culture, and metabolic analyses, molecular methods, and bioinformatic tools.
(7) Microbes have evolved structures adapted for specific functions that are often associated with a fitness advantage in a particular environment.
(12) Bacteria and Archaea exhibit extensive metabolic diversity, including nitrogen fixation, methane production, and anoxygenic photosynthesis, many of which are unique to these two domains.
(13) Intrinsic factors, such as genotype, metabolism, and cell structures, impact the survival and growth of microbes.
(14) Extrinsic factors, such as abiotic and biotic interactions in the environment, can impact survival and growth of microbes.
(15) Most microbial life is currently unculturable and therefore both cultivation-dependent and cultivation-independent techniques are used to identify microbial populations and their potential metabolic pathways.
(20) Microbes are ubiquitous, found in diverse and dynamic ecosystems, where they use available resources and often form complex communities.
(21) Microbes and the environment interact with and affect each other.
(24) Microbes and their communities are essential for supporting all life as we know it.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1a) Apply scientific methods: Investigate microbial systems.
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 10: Controlling Microbial Growth
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(3) The evolution of microbes is impacted by their interactions with the environment and a variety of ecological forces, including other microbes, humans, and habitats.
(6) The distinct structures and processes in microbes can be targets for interspecies competition, antimicrobial treatments, and host immunity.
(7) Microbes have evolved structures adapted for specific functions that are often associated with a fitness advantage in a particular environment.
(21) Microbes and the environment interact with and affect each other.
(29) The extent of microbial damage can be minimized by host-derived and external factors, including the microbiome, antibiotics, and immunity.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1a) Apply scientific methods: Investigate microbial systems.
(1b) Apply scientific methods: Formulate hypotheses and design well-controlled experiments.
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(1e) Apply scientific methods: Collaborate, give and receive feedback, update method and reassess conclusions.
(4) Estimate the number of microorganisms in a sample by direct or indirect means.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 11: Handwashing
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(3) The evolution of microbes is impacted by their interactions with the environment and a variety of ecological forces, including other microbes, humans, and habitats.
(6) The distinct structures and processes in microbes can be targets for interspecies competition, antimicrobial treatments, and host immunity.
(7) Microbes have evolved structures adapted for specific functions that are often associated with a fitness advantage in a particular environment.
(14) Extrinsic factors, such as abiotic and biotic interactions in the environment, can impact survival and growth of microbes.
(20) Microbes are ubiquitous, found in diverse and dynamic ecosystems, where they use available resources and often form complex communities.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1a) Apply scientific methods: Investigate microbial systems.
(1b) Apply scientific methods: Formulate hypotheses and design well-controlled experiments.
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(4) Estimate the number of microorganisms in a sample by direct or indirect means.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 12: Interrupting the Transmission of Microorganisms
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(3) The evolution of microbes is impacted by their interactions with the environment and a variety of ecological forces, including other microbes, humans, and habitats.
(6) The distinct structures and processes in microbes can be targets for interspecies competition, antimicrobial treatments, and host immunity.
(7) Microbes have evolved structures adapted for specific functions that are often associated with a fitness advantage in a particular environment.
(21) Microbes and the environment interact with and affect each other.
(29) The extent of microbial damage can be minimized by host-derived and external factors, including the microbiome, antibiotics, and immunity.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1a) Apply scientific methods: Investigate microbial systems.
(1b) Apply scientific methods: Formulate hypotheses and design well-controlled experiments.
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(1e) Apply scientific methods: Collaborate, give and receive feedback, update method and reassess conclusions.
(4) Estimate the number of microorganisms in a sample by direct or indirect means.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 13: Epidemiology
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(14) Extrinsic factors, such as abiotic and biotic interactions in the environment, can impact survival and growth of microbes.
(28) A minority of microbes are pathogens that can cause diseases and harm host organisms, society, and ecosystems.
(29) The extent of microbial damage can be minimized by host-derived and external factors, including the microbiome, antibiotics, and immunity.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(1e) Apply scientific methods: Collaborate, give and receive feedback, update method and reassess conclusions.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 14: Introduction to Immunology: Blood
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(29) The extent of microbial damage can be minimized by host-derived and external factors, including the microbiome, antibiotics, and immunity.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(2) Properly prepare, view, and analyze specimens using microscopy.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Exercise 15: DNA Isolation
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
(8) Describe the intersection between science and society, such as emerging technologies, policy development, the importance of ethics in the scientific process, and recognize the historical and ongoing contributions of diverse scientists.
Exercise 16: Ribotyping
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(8) Microbes have unique genomes, structures, and/or biochemical characteristics that distinguish them from each other.
(16) Genetic variation can influence microbial structures and their functions.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(3) Apply appropriate microbiological, molecular, serological, and bioinformatics methods to isolate and differentiate microorganisms.
Exercise 17: Microbial Genetics with Serratia marcescens
Part 1: Fundamental Statements
(16) Genetic variation can influence microbial structures and their functions.
Part 2: Lab Statements
(1a) Apply scientific methods: Investigate microbial systems.
(1d) Apply scientific methods: Document and communicate the methods, results, and conclusions.
(1e) Apply scientific methods: Collaborate, give and receive feedback, update method and reassess conclusions.
(5) Practice microbiology in a responsible and safe manner, using appropriate safety equipment and adhering to emergency procedures and guidelines.
Our laboratory exercises can be used to supplement the following: