Petri Dish Experiment

In order to perform this experiment, we had to follow the general directions to create our steps for the procedure of the lab. We first set up our habitat for the bacteria to grow and reproduce, which in this case was agar within a petri dish. After dividing and labeling said petri dish into four quadrants with a Sharpie on the bottom piece, it was time to add the microorganisms into the labeled petri dish quadrants. Once we swiped the bacteria-coated QTip across each area— three times per quadrant— we carefully opened the petri dish using the clam technique and embedded the agent-soaked discs into the contaminated agar. Upon sealing the petri dish and writing our names, we flipped them upside down and left them to sit for approximately twenty four hours.
The results of the experiment were actually surprisingly contradictory to what our prediction stated, although the hypothesis seemed relatively accurate. We initially thought that soap would be the weakest and have the smallest killzone out of the three antimicrobial agents, bleach being the strongest. However, both bleach and hand sanitizer seemed to have little to no effect, especially when compared to …show more content…
I would say that our goal was accomplished, although the results weren’t exactly what we were hoping for. It’s nice to think that those convenient substitutes for a proper hand washing are just as effective than the real thing, but in reality, that is simply not the case. Hand sanitizer may kill bacteria, but it doesn’t actually leave the hands, not to mention the 0.1% of the bacteria that doesn’t even die. A correctly done hand washing with soap and water not only kills, but should get rid of the bacteria completely. This experiment goes to show that there is only one guaranteed way to stay as clean as possible, and that’s thoroughly washing your