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Microbiology

Grasp the scientific study of microorganisms with lab simulations covering a variety of topics—from cellular structure and gram staining to bacterial genetics.

Featured Simulations for Microbiology

  • Staining: Gram Staining

    In this simulation, you will practice the preparation of the major bacterial visualization protocol known as Gram staining.

  • Unknown Bacterial Identification (10 samples)

    In these simulations, you will be provided with many different testing protocols that will help identify unknown bacteria.

  • Biochemical Testing: Antimicrobial Testing for Gram-Positive Cocci Identification

    In this activity you will conduct four antimicrobial sensitivity tests on isolated species of Staphylococcus or Streptococcus using blood agar plates and antimicrobial disks. This will help you learn to observe zones of inhibition and how to interpret those results.

See the growing list of Microbiology simulations here:

1st Lab Tutorial:

• Virtual Labs Tutorial

Aseptic Technique:

• Broth Culture to Sterile Agar Plate

• Broth Culture to Sterile Broth

• Slant Culture to Sterile Agar Slant

Bacterial Genetics:

• DNA Profiling

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

• Bacterial Transformation

Basic Chemistry:

• Chemistry for Biology

• Properties of Water

Biochemical Testing (Unknown ID Tests)

• Antimicrobial Testing for Gram-Positive Cocci Identification

• Blood agar hemolysis test

• CAMP test

• Catalase test

• Citrate test

• Coagulase test

• Phenol red test (glucose fermentation)

• Triple sugar iron (TSI) agar

• Indole test

• MacConkey agar (lactose fermentation)

• Mannitol salt agar

• Methyl red test

• Voges-Proskauer test

• SIM medium

• Nitrate reduction test

• Oxidase test

• Urease Test

Cell Structure:

• Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell Size, Shape, and Function

Control of Microbial Growth:

• Effect of Ultraviolet Light

• Effect of Antiseptics and Disinfectants

• Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing (Kirby-Bauer Method)

DNA Biology and Technology:

• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Testing (New)

• Isolation of DNA

• Gel Electrophoresis

• DNA/RNA Structure

• Rapid Diagnostic Testing

• Transcription, Translation, and Mutation

Environmental Studies

• Climate change

• Water Quality

Evidence of Evolution:

• Phylogeny and Cladistics

Isolation Methods:

• Quadrant Streak Plate Method

• Pour Plating Method

• Subculturing of Bacteria

• Quantitative Dilution of Bacteria

• Quantification by Colony Counting

• Optical Density

Lab Safety:

• Hand Washing Procedure

• Personal Safety

Microbial Growth:

• Oxygen Requirements & Anaerobic Jar

• Effects of Osmotic Pressure

• Effects of Temperature

• Oxygen Requirements and Fluid Thioglycolate Medium Tubes

• Effects of pH

Microscopy:

• Operation of a Brightfield Microscope

• Oil Immersion

• Diversity of Microorganisms

Natural Selection:

• Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

• Natural Selection in Insects

Specimen Collection

• Collecting a Sputum Specimen

Staining:

• Smear Preparation

• Gram Staining

• Acid-Fast Staining

• Capsule Staining

• Spore Staining

Ubiquity of Microorganisms

• Ubiquity of Microorganisms

Unknown Bacterial Identification

• Samples 1-10

1st Lab Tutorial:

• Virtual Labs Tutorial

Applying the Scientific Method:

• Pillbug Preference

• Ubiquity of Microorganisms

Aseptic Technique:

• Broth Culture to Sterile Agar Plate

• Broth Culture to Sterile Broth

• Slant Culture to Sterile Agar Slant

Bacterial Genetics:

• DNA Profiling

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

• Bacterial Transformation

Basic Chemistry:

•  Chemistry for Biology

• Density of a Cube

• Properties of Water

• Synthesis of Calcium Carbonate

• Titration of Vinegar

Blood:

• Differential White Blood Cell Count

• Hematocrit

• Hemoglobin Content

• Blood Typing

Biochemical Testing (Unknown ID Tests)

• Antimicrobial Testing for Gram-Positive Cocci Identification

• Blood agar hemolysis test

• CAMP test

• Catalase test

• Citrate test

• Coagulase test

• Phenol red test (glucose fermentation)

• Triple sugar iron (TSI) agar

• Indole test

• MacConkey agar (lactose fermentation)

• Mannitol salt agar

• Methyl red test

• Voges-Proskauer test

• SIM medium

• Nitrate reduction test

• Oxidase test

• Urease Test

Cardiovascular Physiology:

• Pulse Rate

• Blood Pressure

• Electrocardiography

• Heart Auscultation

Cell Division:

• Examining Meiosis

• Examining Mitosis

Cell Structure:

• Examining Plant & Animal Cells

• Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell Size, Shape, and Function

Cellular Respiration:

• Yeast Fermentation

• Measuring Energy Production in Plants

Chemical Composition of Cells:

• Test for Starch

• Test for Sugars

• Digestion of Starch

• Emulsification of Lipids

• Test for Fat

• Test for Proteins

Control of Microbial Growth:

• Effect of Ultraviolet Light

• Effect of Antiseptics and Disinfectants

• Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing (Kirby-Bauer Method)

Diffusion:

• Effect of Concentration on the Rate of Diffusion in a Semisolid

• Effect of Density of Media on the Rate of Diffusion

• Effect of Molecular Weight on the Rate of Diffusion in Air

• Diffusion Across a Selectively Permeable Membrane

Digestive System:

• Enzymes & Digestion

Dissections:

• Dissection Tutorial for Animals and Plants

• Earthworm (invertebrate)

• Mussel (invertebrate)

• Perch (vertebrate)

• Crayfish (invertebrate)

• Shark (Vertebrate)

• Sea Star (invertebrate)

• Fetal Pig (vertebrate)

• Frog (vertebrate)

DNA Biology and Technology:

• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Testing (New)

• Isolation of DNA

• Gel Electrophoresis

• DNA/RNA Structure

• Rapid Diagnostic Testing

• Transcription, Translation, and Mutation

Electromyography:

• Motor Unit Recruitment

• Time to Fatigue

Endocrine System:

• Influence of Thyroid Hormone on Temperature Regulation

• Effects of Blood Glucose Level

Environmental Studies:

• Climate change

• Water Quality

Evidence of Evolution:

• Fossils and Comparative Anatomy

• Molecular Evidence

• Phylogeny and Cladistics

Eye and Vision:

• Eye Dissection

• Accommodation of the Lens

• Astigmatism Test

• Blind Spot Demonstration

• Color Vision Test

• Convergence Reflex Test

• Pupillary Reflex Test

• Visual Acuity Test

How Enzymes Work:

• Effect of Temperature

• Enzyme Activity

• Effect of pH

• Effect of Concentration

Human Genetics:

• Chromosomal Inheritance During Meiosis

• Genetic Inheritance

Isolation Methods:

• Quadrant Streak Plate Method

• Pour Plating Method

• Subculturing of Bacteria

• Quantitative Dilution of Bacteria

• Quantification by Colony Counting

• Optical Density

Lab Safety:

• Hand Washing Procedure

• Personal Safety

Mendelian Genetics:

• Monohybrid Plant Cross

• Fruit Fly Characteristics

• Monohybrid Fruit Fly Cross

• Dihybrid Plant Cross

• Dihybrid Fruit Fly Cross

• X-Linked Fruit Fly Cross

Metric Measurement:

• Length

• Weight

• Volume

• Temperature

Microbial Growth:

• Oxygen Requirements & Anaerobic Jar

• Effects of Osmotic Pressure

• Effects of Temperature

• Oxygen Requirements and Fluid Thioglycolate Medium Tubes

• Effects of pH

Microscopy:

• Operation of a Brightfield Microscope

• Oil Immersion

• Pond Water Wet Mount

• Plant Cells (Onion Epidermal Cells)

• Animal Cells

• Diversity of Microorganisms

• Epithelial Tissue Histology

• Connective Tissue Histology

• Muscle Tissue Histology

• Nervous Tissue Histology

• Euglena Wet Mount

Natural Selection:

• Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

• Natural Selection in Insects

Nervous System:

• Demonstrate Monosynaptic Reflexes

Organismal Diversity

• Protists

Osmosis:

• Movement of Water Across a Selectively Permeable Membrane

• Tonicity in Red Blood Cells

• Tonicity in Elodea Cells

• Tonicity in Potato Strips

pH Balance:

• Function of Buffers

• Antacids as Buffers

Photosynthesis:

• Photosynthetic Pigments

• Comparing Green and Blue Light

• Determining Rate in White Light

• Monitoring Photosynthesis with Carbon Dioxide Uptake

Plants

• Angiosperm Reproduction

• Bloom Color and pH

• Gravitropism and Phototropism (Mustard Plant Seedlings)

• Gymnosperms

• Transpiration

Population Biology

• Growth and Competition

Respiratory System:

• Mechanism of Breathing

• Pulmonary Function Tests

Sampling Ecosystems:

• Biological Sampling

• Comparing Ecosystems

Skeletal Muscle:

• Shoulder & Elbow Movement Exercise

• Electrical Stimulation

Specimen Collection:

• Collecting a Sputum Specimen

Spectrophotometry

• Apply Beer's Law to Determine Concentration of Dye

Staining:

• Smear Preparation

• Gram Staining

• Acid-Fast Staining

• Capsule Staining

• Spore Staining

Transgenic Organisms

• Bt Corn

Ubiquity of Microorganisms

• Ubiquity of Microorganisms

Unknown Bacterial Identification

• Samples 1-10

Urinary System:

• Urinalysis