Bacterial DiversityBacterial Diversity

The Examination of Bacterial The Examination of Bacterial Colonies in Selected Colonies in Selected

EnvironmentsEnvironments

By Lara Hartman and Daniel Arbeider

PurposePurposeExplore the bacterial diversity found in:Explore the bacterial diversity found in:

AirAir Raw ChickenRaw Chicken SoilSoil Pond WaterPond Water Washed & Unwashed HandsWashed & Unwashed Hands Library TableLibrary Table

Establish which environment supports the Establish which environment supports the greatest diversity of bacteria.greatest diversity of bacteria.

Compare the data generated to determine if Compare the data generated to determine if our hypothesis is supported.our hypothesis is supported.

HypothesisHypothesis

Pond water will contain the greatest diversity Pond water will contain the greatest diversity of bacteria when compared to other of bacteria when compared to other observed environments.observed environments.

MethodsMethodsLabel each Petri dish according to the environment tested.Label each Petri dish according to the environment tested.

To isolate bacterial colonies from the soil, pond water, chicken, and the PSU To isolate bacterial colonies from the soil, pond water, chicken, and the PSU library table the “Streak Plate method” was used.library table the “Streak Plate method” was used.

For the air sample the lid will be removed for the duration of the For the air sample the lid will be removed for the duration of the experiment.experiment.

For washed and unwashed hands, a thumb will be pressed on For washed and unwashed hands, a thumb will be pressed on the surface of the agar.the surface of the agar.

Incubate all plates for 1 week at 22 C.Incubate all plates for 1 week at 22 C.

AirAir

  Size Shape Margin Surface Color

A 15 mm Irregular Lobate Smooth Milk-White

B 5 mm Round Smooth Concentric Pale Yellow

C 6 mm Round Curled Concentric White

D 6 mm Round Smooth Smooth Off-White

E 14 mm Irregular Lobate Contoured Mustard

Raw ChickenRaw Chicken

  Size Shape Margin Surface Color

A 1 mm Punctiform Lobate Wrinkled Off-White

B 7 mm Irregular Lobate Contoured Clear

SoilSoil

  Size Shape Margin Surface Color

A 6 mm Irregular Lobate Smooth Off-White

B 7 mm Irregular Filamentous Contoured White

C 30 mm Irregular Lobate Contoured Clear

F u n g u s

Pond WaterPond Water

  Size Shape Margin Surface Color

A 3 mm Round Smooth Smooth Off-White

B 10 mm Irregular Lobate Contoured Off-White

Washed and Unwashed HandsWashed and Unwashed Hands

  Size Shape Margin Surface Color

A 59 mm Irregular Wavy Smooth Off-White

B 7 mm Irregular Filamentous Contoured White

C 13 mm Irregular Lobate Smooth White

Library TableLibrary Table

  Size Shape Margin Surface Color

A 15mm Irregular Lobate Smooth White

B 6 mm Round Wavy Concentric Yellow

C 11 mm Round Smooth Concentric Yellow

D

E 3 mm Round Smooth Smooth Orange

F u n g u s

Data InterpretationData Interpretation

After one week, observations were made of the colony morphology After one week, observations were made of the colony morphology of the different bacterial species in each environment. of the different bacterial species in each environment.

Charts were constructed to compare the diversity and abundance Charts were constructed to compare the diversity and abundance of bacteria in the various environments.of bacteria in the various environments.

Our data clearly showed that the hypothesis under investigation Our data clearly showed that the hypothesis under investigation was not supported; however, it is reasoned that the pond water was not supported; however, it is reasoned that the pond water sample was not the best representation of aquatic life. In our next sample was not the best representation of aquatic life. In our next experiment all layers, top – middle-bottom, will be analyzed.experiment all layers, top – middle-bottom, will be analyzed.

Escherichia coliEscherichia coli

Role:Role:Produces Vitamin K in the Produces Vitamin K in the intestinal tract.intestinal tract.

Pathogenic effects:Pathogenic effects:Human urinary tract Human urinary tract infectionsinfections

DiarrheaDiarrhea

Pneumonia (linked)Pneumonia (linked)

Meningitis (linked)Meningitis (linked)

E.coliE.coli

How How E.coliE.coli infects: infects:E.coliE.coli and how it infects and how it infects – Part 1 – Part 1

E.coliE.coli and how it infects – Part 2 and how it infects – Part 2

E.coliE.coli and how it infects – Part 3 and how it infects – Part 3

Treatments:Treatments:Antibiotics are not recommended. (May cause shock)Antibiotics are not recommended. (May cause shock)

Studies:Studies:Antibiotic treatment increases risk of urinary tract infections from Antibiotic treatment increases risk of urinary tract infections from 8% (no treatment) to 56% (antibiotic treatment).8% (no treatment) to 56% (antibiotic treatment).

E.coliE.coli develops antibiotic resistance quickly. develops antibiotic resistance quickly.

E.coliE.coli

  Antibiotic Dose Zone of Inhibition Sensitivity

1 Steptomycin 10 mg 5 mm Sensitive

2 Penicillin 10 mg 0 mm Not Sensitive

3 Erythromycin 15 mg 3 mm Sensitive

4 Tetracyclin 30 mg 7 mm Sensitive

5 Kanamycin 30 mg 5 mm Sensitive

6 Chloramphenicol 30 mg 12 mm Very Sensitive

7 Nalidixic Acid 30 mg 11 mm Very Sensitive

8 Novobiacin 30 mg 0 mm Not Sensitive

Control     0 mm Not Sensitive

SourcesSources

• Carter Brown, M.E., and J.G. Morgan. Carter Brown, M.E., and J.G. Morgan. Investigating Biology: A Laboratory Investigating Biology: A Laboratory Manual for BiologyManual for Biology. San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings, 2002. San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings, 2002..

• Dennis Liu, Ph.D., and B. Brett Finlay, Ph.D. Dennis Liu, Ph.D., and B. Brett Finlay, Ph.D. Enteropathogenic E. coli Infection Enteropathogenic E. coli Infection MechanismMechanism. Retrieved November 2 2004, from . Retrieved November 2 2004, from http://www.savetheantibiotic.com/public_html/0_Educators/bacteria_mov1.htmlhttp://www.savetheantibiotic.com/public_html/0_Educators/bacteria_mov1.html

• Craig S. Wong, Srdjan Jelacic, Rebecca L. Habeeb, Sandra L. Watkins, Phillip I. Craig S. Wong, Srdjan Jelacic, Rebecca L. Habeeb, Sandra L. Watkins, Phillip I.

Tarr; Early Release article, Tarr; Early Release article, The New England Journal of Medicine;The New England Journal of Medicine; May 23, 2000. May 23, 2000. Retreived November 2, 2004, from Retreived November 2, 2004, from http://www.coloradohealthsite.org/CHNReports/antibioticsandecoli.htmlhttp://www.coloradohealthsite.org/CHNReports/antibioticsandecoli.html