Agar plate
Agar Plate
An Agar Plate (pronounced: /ˈɑːɡər ˈpleɪt/) is a petri dish filled with a solid growth medium made from agar, a gelatinous substance derived from seaweed. It is used to culture microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi.
Etymology
The term "Agar Plate" comes from the Malay word agar-agar meaning jelly and the Latin word platus meaning flat, referring to the flat shape of the dish.
Usage
In microbiology, an Agar Plate is used to isolate a particular strain of microorganism. The agar serves as a nutrient source for the microorganisms to grow, and the flat shape of the plate allows for easy observation and identification of colonies.
Types of Agar Plates
There are several types of Agar Plates, each designed to grow specific types of microorganisms or to differentiate between different species. Some of the most common types include:
- Nutrient Agar: A general-purpose medium supporting growth of a wide range of non-fastidious organisms.
- Sabouraud Agar: Used for the cultivation of fungi.
- MacConkey Agar: Designed to isolate and differentiate enteric bacteria.
- Blood Agar: Used to cultivate fastidious organisms and detect hemolytic activity.
Related Terms
- Petri Dish: A shallow cylindrical glass or plastic lidded dish that biologists use to culture cells.
- Microbiology: The study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi, and protozoa.
- Culture Medium: A liquid or gel designed to support the growth of microorganisms or cells.
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