Motility of our Unknown {Lab 4 - May 15, 2015}

      Today, we tested the motility of our unknown bacteria. Motility simply refers to whether or not bacteria are able to move. We tested for this by placing a sample of our unknown on a hanging-drop slide, which allows a sample to hang in a drop from the slide.

Materials:

• depression microscope slide
• coverslip
• vaseline
• inoculating loop
• Bunsen burner
• bacterial culture in broth

Procedure:

     We placed a drop of our unknown onto the coverslip (which had vaseline put on the sides for adherence to the slide) using aseptic techniques. We then carefully placed the coverslip onto the depression slide, ensuring that the drop of bacterial culture was over the depression so that it could hang from the slide. 

Results:

     Once we had completed making the hanging-drop slide, we looked at our bacteria using the microscope. 

Our bacteria slightly moving

     Our bacteria only slightly moved back and forth, exhibiting no true motility. 

Motility test done with
motility test medium agar
- Nonmotile