Microbiology Lab Conclusion Writing Help Needed

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Feb 25, 2011

Hi All!

I'm having difficulty writing conclusions for a microbiology or micro lab.

In the experiment we grew different bacteria on different media with both selective and differential properties. I only need to write a 1 sentence summary conclusion for each set of data. I am having difficulty getting the verbiage correct.

I want to know if anyone can give me an example of a correct conclusion AND also tell me what the format is for conclusions that can be applied as a template.

For example: In my class we grew E. coli on phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) agar. Since PEA selects for (or allows growth of) Gram + organisms, and I observed a small amount of growth (1+) I wrote:

"E. coli is gram negative since it only grew a little bit on the partially inhibitory PEA agar."

This was incorrect per my Professor, since I inferred that the PEA was related to the Gram Positive characteristic.

She said to write:

"Because E. coli is gram negative, it only grew a small amount in the Partially inhibitory PEA agar."

I still don't like this format because I don't like the words little bit or small amount! :eek:

It doesn't sound "official".

Plus, I need to write several of these conclusions and I'd like to know of a "template" I could use as a model to guide me when writing the rest. Kind of like when you write an essay or give a speech, a general template is: "I'm going to tell you "X". Then you give Point 1, Point 2 and Point 3 to illustrate "x". Then you say, I just told you "X" by using Point 1,2&3." KWIM?! I hope!!!

Stress! :crying2:

Aughhh!

I might be over analyzing but don't really understand WHAT a conclusion is supposed to do/say/infer and I want to know this so I can use that info to write more conclusions. I'd rather have that info than the "answer", but If someone can give me a really good conclusion, I will try to develop a template on my own.

TIA!