Microbiology

This assignment will simulate the role of a clinical microbiologist in a professional laboratory. The job of the
microbiologist is to receive samples from physicians, gathered from ill patients. Once the sample is
received, the microbiologist will conduct and analyze tests to determine the identity of the microbe infecting
the patient. This typically involves conducting various tests. In the case of testing for bacteria, flow charts
containing the types of test and sequence of tests are used. In this case, the first step is to perform a streak
plate to isolate the bacteria from the specimen. Then a gram stain is conducted on an isolated colony.
Once the gram reaction and shape of the bacterium is determined, then a flow chart matching those results
may be used to determine the next test to be conducted. Further tests depend on the results of each test.
Open the two flow charts. Depending on the results of initial tests, one chart must be selected and used to
conduct further tests.