Microbiology 102
INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY ON-LINE
(in 3 parts: I, II and III)
Updated and Corrected 1/22/14
(Note: None of the material mentioned below is meant to be done for handing in. It's basically an introduction to our "on-line experience" that can be worked on through the third week of the semester.)
A few years ago, Microbiology 102 changed from a course having two in-lab sessions a week (in a regular semester) to a revised course with just one in-lab session per week plus a "virtual component" to take care of a number of experiments that we found could be done on-line. This change came about from a severe budget crisis that found us having to cut back on in-lab time and materials. However, with the on-line material in mind, we found we can still have a substantial introductory microbiology course. The level of our quizzes and exams and our general expectations have not been diminished.
As you will note, all of our virtual lab experiments are represented in the Microbiology 102 lab manual along with the experiments we perform in the laboratory. For the virtual experiments, there are introductions to the concepts and also space for recording results in the manual, but the "experimental" procedures themselves are covered on-line, mainly in the Department of Bacteriology's "Instructional Microbiology Website." Those which are not found there will hopefully be incorporated into it eventually.
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I. THE DEPARTMENT OF BACTERIOLOGY'S INSTRUCTIONAL MICROBIOLOGY WEBSITE. This website is edited by Dr. Tim Paustian, and is compiled mainly from a number of the department's lab manuals. It is divided into "chapters" which are further subdivided into specific topics as you will see when you examine the Table of Contents here. This manual can also be a source of supplemental information, such as the Review of the Microscope which actually goes beyond the scope of our course.
Virtual Experiment 3B is our first virtual experiment, and it is found on the Instructional Microbiology Website as follows:
- Go to the web address indicated in our manual or (better yet) click here. (You will also find this link with those of all of the other virtual labs in the "Links Box" on the homepage of our Microbiology 102 website.)
- Scroll down to "Period 4" which covers the capsule and acid-fast staining procedures. This, for us, is our Virtual Experiment 3B. Imagine yourself doing these procedures and noting the results which are illustrated. The results can be summarized in the spaces provided in our lab manual. (Note: In Period 4, there is a misprint regarding the directions for the acid-fast stain which are actually on page 119 of our manual.)
- That seems too easy, doesn't it? The overall level of these virtual labs will soon pick up. We are starting off somewhat slowly.
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II. MICROBIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ON OUR MICROBIOLOGY 102 WEBSITE, RELATED WEBSITES, AND YOUTUBE.
Various items in the "Links Box" which serve as virtual experiments and supplemental information are found to be part of the Microbiology 102 website – and also certain other websites originating from one or more members of the Department of Bacteriology – as we shall see as we continue on with the course. Examples:
- Appendix B in our manual deals with the concept of Aseptic Technique and is to be read over in preparation for the third week of the semester. Going along with Appendix B is a summary of various lab procedures on a related website (click here). These procedures are meant to contain microorganisms such that we do not spread them around the environment, nor let environmental organisms interfere with our cultures. This is the essence of "aseptic technique."
- Note the two YouTube videos referred to in the aforementioned web page. We will actually be performing these techniques soon in Experiment 2, namely the tube-to-tube transfer technique and the three-phase plate-streaking technique.
- Virtual Experiment 4B is a series of practice problems which are related to the concept of Dilution Theory – discussed in Appendix C and related to the quantitative analysis of bacteria in Experiments 1 and 4A. We will discuss this in lab soon, and Virtual Experiment 4B need not be dealt with at this time.
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III. SOME OUTSIDE MICROBIOLOGY SITES ON THE WEB have been found to be especially enjoyable and/or informative – such as in the following list:
- An animated explanation of the Gram stain whose directions are given in our manual on page 117. Go here and click on the "animation" link. We will be doing the Gram stain twice in Experiment 3A and quite a few times throughout the semester. This animation shows differences between two major kinds of outer cell layers ("gram-positive" and "gram-negative") and how the Gram stain procedure will differentiate between them.
- As you see fit, look around this site for a lot of interesting information about bacteria (pathogenicity, ecology, etc.).
- Check out the "Cells Alive" site, and this may become one of your favorite microbiological resources.
- A complete treatment of the value and procedures involved with handwashing is here.
- A couple on-line nursing degree programs are featured here and here and may be worth looking into, for those interested.