The Fundamentals of BacteriologyMorrey, Charles Bradfield
Science
The Fundamentals of Bacteriology
Morrey, Charles Bradfield
Bacteriology
In broth cultures the presence or absence of growth on the surface
and the amount of the same. Whether the broth is rendered cloudy or
remains clear, and whether there is a deposit at the bottom or not
(Fig. 144). An abundant surface growth with little or nothing below
indicates a strict aërobe, while a growth or deposit at bottom and a
clear or nearly clear medium above, an anaërobe. These appearances are
for the first few days only of growth. If the broth is disturbed, or
after the culture stands for several days many surface growths tend to
sink to the bottom. So an actively motile organism causes in general
a cloudiness, especially if the organism is a facultative anaërobe,
which tends to clear up by precipitation after several days when the
organisms lose their motility. Non-motile facultative anaërobes
usually cloud the broth also, but settle out more rapidly than the
motile ones.
In gelatin and agar punctures the oxygen relationship is shown by
surface growth for aërobes, growth near the bottom of the puncture
for anaërobes, and a fairly uniform growth all along the line of
inoculation for facultative anaërobes. In the case of these last
organisms, a preference for more or less oxygen is indicated by the
approach to the aërobic or anaërobic type of growth.
[Illustration: FIG. 148 FIG. 149 FIG. 150 FIG. 151
FIG. 148.--Crateriform liquefaction of gelatin. × 1/2.
FIG. 149.--Funnelform liquefaction of gelatin. × 1/2.
FIG. 150.--Saccate liquefaction of gelatin. × 1/2.
FIG. 151.--Stratiform liquefaction of gelatin. × 1/2.]
Along the line of puncture the commonest types are _filiform_ (Fig.
145), which indicates a uniform growth; _beaded_ (Fig. 146), or small
separate colonies; _villous_ (Fig. 147), delicate lateral outgrowths
which do not branch; _arborescent_, tree-like growths branching
laterally from the line. In agar these branchings are usually short and
stubby, or technically, _papillate_.
[Illustration: FIG. 152.--Filiform slope culture. × 1/2.]
[Illustration: FIG. 153.--Filiform, slightly spreading, slope culture.
× 1/2.]
[Illustration: FIG. 154.--Beaded slope culture. × 1/2.]
Further, in the gelatin puncture the liquefaction which occurs is
frequently characteristic. It may be _crateriform_ (Fig. 148), a
shallow saucer at the surface; or _funnel-shaped_ (Fig. 149); or it
may be of uniform width all along the puncture, _i.e._, _saccate_ (Fig.
150); or it may be _stratiform_, (Fig. 151), _i.e._, the liquefaction
extends to the sides of the tube and proceeds uniformly downward.
[Illustration: FIG. 155 FIG. 156 FIG. 157 FIG. 158
FIG. 155.--Effuse slope culture. × 1/2.
FIG. 156.--Rhizoid slope culture. × 1/2.
FIG. 157.--Rugose slope culture. × 1/2.
FIG. 158.--Verrucose slope culture. × 1/2.]
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