Question:
I am doing a science fair project on the effect of light
on wild bacteria. I grew it from agar under
flourescent, dark, sun, and
no light. I would like to identify what types of
bacteria I have and
their mutations. Is there a site or reference in
which I can find this information?.
Replies:
Dear Michelle,
What bacteria did you start with? where did they get
from? without knowing that it will be extremely
difficult to identify what is growing. Even knowing
the source (soil, dirt, water, skin??) it will be hard
to identify the species. And it will be impossible to
identify mutations.
An alternative is to use a pure culture of bacteria to
start with. At least you know what your'e working with
then. You could use lactobacillus from yoghurt (with
live cultues, check the label) or bacteria from cheese
(the white cover on Bree, or the blue from blue
cheese) or even yeast from a bakery (not a bacterium).
Read more about bacteria (though not the answer to
your question) at the Virtual Museum of Bacteria:
www.bacteriamuseum.org
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