Testing for Microbes in Our Everyday Life - Hands {Lab 1 - May 12, 2015}

      For our first experiment, we tested for microbes that are present in our everyday life. 

Materials: 
     The materials that were used for this experiment included Agar plates (Petri dishes which have nutrient agar in the bottom which serves as food for microbes). 

Procedure:
    We placed our thumbs on the nutrient agar in order to collect the microbes that were present on our hands before washing them. We then washed our hands and placed our thumbs on the nutrient agar again. We proceeded to cover the dish and placed the samples in a body temperature environment so that the bacteria from our hands could grow. 

The bacteria from our thumbs that grew.
{Top - Clare; Bottom - Elisabeth}

Results:
     The area where we put our thumbs before washing (on right side, labeled B) grew no visible bacteria; however, the after area (left, labeled A) grew visible bacteria. 

Conclusion:
     Though we had washed our hands, bacteria was still present. This could be because we did not thoroughly wash our hands, or, as Dr. Pathakamuri suggested, it could have been from the paper towels we used in the lab. After this experiment, we realize more greatly the importance and need for washing our hands. Especially as future nurses, the importance of removing bacteria form our hands is vitally important.