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1) The number of single colonies on a correctly-prepared agar plate can be used

ID: 209509 • Letter: 1

Question

1) The number of single colonies on a correctly-prepared agar plate can be used to estimate the concentration of viable cells in a broth culture because:(Multiple Choice

A. The plate was inoculated with a known volume of culture.

B. Each colony contains only viable cells.

C. Each colony arises from a single viable cell.

A and B

A and C

2) A student needs to determine the concentration of viable cells in a broth culture of E.coli. What should they do? (Multiple Choice

Measure the optical density (OD) of the culture using a spectrophotometer.

Use a sterile spreader to spread a known volume of the culture across an agar plate.

Use a sterile loop to streak a small volume of the culture across an agar plate.

Perform serial dilutions of the culture, and then use a sterile spreader to spread a known volume of the dilutions across agar plates.

Perform serial dilutions of the culture, and then use a sterile loop to streak a small volume of the dilutions across agar plates.

If a bacterial broth culture has a concentration of 7.5x1011 cells/mL, what dilution is required to give a concentration of 3x104 cells/mL? (Multiple Choice

4.4*10-17 dilution

2.25*1016 dilution

4*1014 dilution

4*10-8 dilution

2.5*107 dilution

Explanation / Answer

1. A and B.

Colony forming unit consists of only viable cells.

2. Perform serial dilutions of the culture and then use a sterile spreader to spread a known volume of dilutions across the agar plate.