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Investigating Bacteria Growth
http://www.classzone.com/books/hs/ca/sc/bio_07/virtual_labs/virtualLabs.html
Predictions on bacterial growth in Aerobic and Anaerobic conditions:
1. Explain whether or not you think bacteria need oxygen in order to grow?
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Record you observations for each bacteria type in aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic
(without oxygen) conditions.
Bacteria Species
Observations
Amount of Growth in Medium
A (environment with oxygen)
Location of growth in medium
B (environment without
oxygen)
B. Strearothemouphilius
Vial 1
C. Sporogenes
Vial 2
E. Coli
Vial 3
Oxygen Needs
Based on the observations you recorded, complete the table below. Enter one of the following
“bacteria need oxygen”, “bacteria don’t need oxygen, or bacteria can grow with our without
oxygen” for each species of bacteria listed below.
Bacteria Species
B. Strearothemouphilius
Vial 1
C. Sporogenes
Vial 2
E. Coli
Vial 3
Oxygen Needs
Analyze and Conclude
1. Conclude. Based on your observations, is it possible that bacteria can thrive in a
sealed can and cause vegetables to spoil?
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2. Compare and Contrast. How did the presence of oxygen affect bacterial growth?
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3. Evaluate. What factors in addition to oxygen might influence the growth of different
types of bacteria.
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4. Infer. Scientists hypothesize that bacteria might have been among the first living
organisms or earth. If this is true, which type of bacteria do you think was the first
to develop on Earth: bacteria that need oxygen or bacteria that does not need
oxygen? Explain your answer.
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5. Infer. What might the results of this lab mean in terms of the ability for microbes to
live and thrive on other planets or moons that don’t have oxygen in their
atmosphere?
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