Microbiology test for unknowns

bioniclewoman · Apr 1, 2005

I am about to be tested in microbiology on unknowns. We will do test such as IMViC reactions to determine. Do you have any tips or websites that may offer help in identification?

Sorry I don't, but I wish your teacher had given something like this to you. My teacher gave us handouts on how to tell results and then we did a practice test in groups before we did the real thing.

Peachy720 · Apr 1, 2005

Hi Maisie!!!

I had my unknown with the IMViC the week before I went on Spring Break.

I PROMISE you, it's nothing to sweat. I'm usually the one to screw up in lab, contaminating or never being able to see through the microscope.

My biggest hint: Get the same letter/number unknown as the friends around you. That way you can either confirm or if someone screws up, there is backup.

We used 9 medias--you basically innoculate all of them with your loop except for the KIA slant, where you use a needle and stab the butt of your tube, and then streak it.

The next week you look for your results...I don't have my book with me, but basically, if it changes color, if they change colors, they're positive...Your instructor should provide models to compare so you know what you have.

Hope that helps! :)

danu3 · Apr 1, 2005

I am about to be tested in microbiology on unknowns. We will do test such as IMViC reactions to determine. Do you have any tips or websites that may offer help in identification?

I guess each prof is different. In my class, the prof require us to come up with a flow chart of how we isolate the critters (so we don't have to run every test under the sun). The flow chart is graded. Then during the unknown, we just follow our flowchart. Afterwards, we need a writeup to demonstrate that we understand what the heck is going on.

-Dan

EMTtoRN · Apr 2, 2005

We also just completed our unknown project. We had a list of possibles and then had to make flow charts before we could do any tests.

Deb123j · Apr 2, 2005

I just started my unknowns this past Tuesday. To prepare for it, I typed up a list of the Gram + and Gram - tests I'll be doing in my class, which include the + & - reactions for each, if they need a reactant, etc.

If you are interested, I can e-mail them to you.

MikeLPN · Apr 2, 2005

http://www.hpa.org.uk/

Kelly2004 · Apr 4, 2005

I just started my unknowns this past Tuesday. To prepare for it, I typed up a list of the Gram + and Gram - tests I'll be doing in my class, which include the + & - reactions for each, if they need a reactant, etc.
If you are interested, I can e-mail them to you.

If you don't mind I would love to have it. We start our unknowns in two weeks!

[email protected]

Thanks!

Kelly

smile123 · Apr 4, 2005

I guess each prof is different. In my class, the prof require us to come up with a flow chart of how we isolate the critters (so we don't have to run every test under the sun). The flow chart is graded. Then during the unknown, we just follow our flowchart. Afterwards, we need a writeup to demonstrate that we understand what the heck is going on.
-Dan

We had to do our own flow charts to isolate the microbes too. For our unknowns, we had 2 microbes in one solution. The chart was graded too. We didn't have much time to run our tests, so we had to be really efficient when it came to 'sleuthing' by running the least amount of tests to determine our unknown. Then we wrote up what we did. This was at Foothill CC in CA (near Stanford, San Francisco Bay Area).

It was actually a lot of fun. I enjoyed it.

Smile123

Maisie · Apr 5, 2005

Thanks for the information.

ashfost, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2005

Hey all. For a student who will be taking micro this summer, can anyone give an opinion on the class? Is it impossibly hard or just fairly difficult. I love science and I made an A in the General Bio class but I'm praying for a B in my Chemistry class. :crying2: I just want to know what to expect ahead of time. (And if its possible, please keep me in your prayers for a B in my Chem class! Thank you!!!!!)

ashfost

MryRose · Apr 8, 2005

I am taking it now and have found it to be a lot of fun, not really too difficult (so far!) but does require study. If you like science, then you will probably like microbio.

I have my final midterm on Wed.... previous 2 I got an 89 and a 90. I am hoping for a 100 this time around! Wish me luck! :)

Still have to get thru my unknowns and term paper that includes a power point class presentation ( Aaaaack!). :uhoh3:

Hugs!

MaryRose

Hey all. For a student who will be taking micro this summer, can anyone give an opinion on the class? Is it impossibly hard or just fairly difficult. I love science and I made an A in the General Bio class but I'm praying for a B in my Chemistry class. I just want to know what to expect ahead of time. (And if its possible, please keep me in your prayers for a B in my Chem class! Thank you!!!!!)
ashfost