Clinical Microbiology
Jordan Cash
Western Governors University
Motility Testing
Task 3

Clinical Microbiology
A: Majority of bacteria are capable to move with own ability. They have special organelles called flagella that helps them to propel. It is composed of protein and attached to the bacteria cytoplasmic membrane. There is four different types of flagellar arrangements. First is Monotrichous, and have one single flagellum at one pole of the cell. Second is Lophotrichous, and have two or more flagella which may be attached at one or both poles of the cell. Third is Amphitrichous, and has single flagellum at both poles of the cell. Fourth is Peritrichous where entire cell is completely covered by flagella
B: In this test, semisolid medium is used in order to determine bacteria motility. Nonmotile organism is used and single needle to inoculate medium with only one motion in the middle of tube. In this process bacteria grow occurs along the line of inoculation. It is well defined line in the middle of medium.
C: In my E-coli tube I can see very well defined white line in middle of medium from bottom to the top of medium. It is like white chain in a center of motility medium tube. Same is in my motility medium tube with S-epidermis. In the center or midline of the tube, there is white chain appearance.
D: I have not been able to note any motility. One reason may be older culture is making hard to determine whether organisms are motile or not. I di noted difference in line appearance between day or 24 hours and after 48 hours. After 48 hours there were more white organisms toward the top of the medium.
D: If I look under the light I think there are definitely organisms. Is hard for me to distinguish are those organisms have flagella or not. They are white, in the middle of motility medium tube and structured like chain.
Reference:
Alonzo, C.A. Laboratory Manual of Small-Scale Experiments for Independent Study; Microbiology mlt1. Englewood, CO: Hands-on Labs, Inc. DOI: www.LabPaq.com