Unknown Paper
I Introduction
This lab is a presentation of lab tests performed to finalize a conclusion based on results to identify the given unknown bacteria. The unknown bacteria was identified based on lab test results in the table provided in class for the possible unknown bacteria. The unknown bacteria identified as #36, and based on the lab tests is Enterobacter
II Materials and Methods
Catalase Test- this test determines whether bacteria have the enzyme catalase which catalyzes the breaks down hydrogen peroxide.
Carbohydrate fermentation- this test determines whether bacteria have the ability to ferment the carbohydrates; glucose, sucrose, maltose and lactose. This test also identifies if the bacteria produces combinations of
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Based on the catalase and carbohydrate fermentation tests, Enterobacter aerogenes seems to have tested like a facultative anaerobe, matching the unknown bacteria #36.
Enterobacter aerogenes is the best fit for the unknown, however now a perfect one. The test that differs is the glucose fermentation, lactose fermentation as well as a difference in pigmentation result. The result for Enterobacter aerogenes is A+G+, and for unknown #36 is A+/-G+, this test while not identical is not completely different and shows possibility that the test differed because of human error during lab such as not sampling a successful amount of bacteria in the test tubes. Another human error is results not being read correctly. This is possible as the results are based on color, which can sometimes be interpreted differently based on lighting, concentration or experience of the person reading the results. These same ideas may serve as an explanation for the difference in test results for lactose and glucose fermentation experiments. The last test that did not concur was pigmentation. Besides human error, another possibility could be that #36 is a specific strain of Enterobacter aerogenes that is pigmented, as different bacteria strains sometimes to have different characteristics. Even with these differences in test results, after considering the explanations for their