MICROBIOLOGY 102
INTRODUCTION TO THE ON-LINE MATERIAL (in 3 parts: I, II and III)
Updated and Corrected 1/26/11
(Note: None of the material mentioned below is meant to be done for handing in. It's basically an introduction to our "on-line experience" that can be worked on through the third week of the semester.)
A few years ago, Microbiology 102 changed from a course having two in-lab sessions a week (in a regular semester) to a revised course with just one in-lab session per week plus a "virtual component" to take care of a number of experiments that we found could be done on-line. This change came about from a severe budget crisis that found us having to cut back on in-lab time and materials. However, with the on-line material in mind, we found we can still have a substantial introductory microbiology course. The level of our quizzes and exams and our general expectations have not been altered.
I. THE VIRTUAL MICROBIOLOGY LAB MANUAL. Most of the virtual lab experiments and some of the informational material that we utilize in Microbiology 102 are included in the Virtual Manual which was edited by Dr. Tim Paustian. The Virtual Manual is divided into "chapters" which are further divided into various items as you will see when you examine the table of contents. Some specific things:
The Virtual Experiment 3B is indicated on our schedule to go along with the third period of the semester. Once you go to the web address indicated in the manual or (better yet) click here, scroll down to "Period 4" – that is, the capsule and acid-fast staining procedures. Note the space in the manual for recording results which will not be handed in. (There is nothing else we need for this virtual lab, and the unknown of course is done in lab as part of Experiment 3A.) The overall level of these virtual labs will pick up soon as we are starting off somewhat slow and almost too easy.
As you see, the entire Virtual Manual contains a considerable amount of stuff. Much of the material is relevant to the subject matter of our course, but only some of it will be used as our "virtual experiments." Some of our virtual experiments will be found elsewhere (such as Virtual Experiments 4B, 5A and 5B).
II. MICROBIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ON OUR WEBSITE AND YOUTUBE.
Among the various resources that we refer to (many of which are on our alternative website) are some newly-revised virtual lab experiments (coming up soon) that should eventually find their way into the Virtual Microbiology Lab Manual.
The first two of our movies to appear on YouTube were mentioned already and are especially relevant to Experiment 3A and Appendix B. It would be a good idea to view these again; they are found here and here.
III. SOME OTHER MICROBIOLOGY SITES ON THE WEB have been found to be especially enjoyable and/or informative – such as in the following list which includes Virtual Experiment 4B:
An animated explanation of the Gram stain whose directions are given in our manual on page 117. Go here and click on the "animation" link. We will be doing the Gram stain twice in Experiment 3A and quite a few times throughout the semester. This animation shows differences between two major kinds of outer cell layers ("gram-positive" and "gram-negative") and how the Gram stain procedure will differentiate between them.
Look around this site for a lot of interesting information about bacteria (pathogenicity, ecology, etc.).
Why cells stick to the slide when we heat fix them is discussed here.
Looking ahead to Experiment 4A in the lab, we will be doing the plate count method to determine how contaminated is a sample of hamburger. Going along with Exp. 4A is Appendix C on the Quantitation of Bacteria which should help us understand the concept as we have applied it in Experiment 1 (with the soil and water samples) and Exp. 4 (with the hamburger). Perhaps an easier-to-understand equivalent to Appendix C is on two of our web pages: "Dilution Plating" which goes along with Exp. 1 and "More Dilution Plating" which goes along with Exp. 4A.
Virtual Experiment 4B is simply a set of practice dilution problems which are at a page titled "General Problem Set No. 1." Note the link on this page to the solutions. Having done these problems will be helpful in doing the take-home dilution problem set (for points) will be handed in according to the lab schedule. (No, you don't have to hand in the practice problems, but do check the key.)
Looking ahead further to Experiment 5 and Appendix D, you will find an on-line equivalent to Appendix D starting here. Please read over this material prior to our starting Exp. 5C in the lab. The links to Virtual Experiments 5A and 5B will be posted soon.
