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Abstract In this experiment an unknown gram-negative sample was obtained randomly to identify the possible microorganisms. Using comparative analysis several biochemical tests were performed to determine which bacterium out of the six potential unknowns was given. The biochemical tests carried out included; triple-sugar iron agar (TSIA), sulfur indole motility (SIM), citrate, urease, gelatinase, methyl red (MR) and voges-proskaeur (VP). In order to determine the microorganism characteristics the sample was first isolated using a t-streak and the colonies were gram stained to reveal its shape and morphology and then inoculated into several sequences of media corresponding with the proper biochemical test. After allowing the corresponding time for each biochemical test, data was collected to determine the unknown bacteria. The broth culture in this experiment was determined as Escherichia coli. Introduction All organisms are divided into three domains; bacteria, archaea, and eukarya. The organisms making up domain Bacteria and domain Archaea are all prokaryotes. Although bacteria and archaea look the same, archaea is more closely related to eukarya (Madigan et.al 2009). The ability to adapt to a broad range of habitats helps to explain why prokaryotes are the most abundant organism on earth. The main characteristics of a prokaryote include, no nucleus, circular DNA, and no membrane bound organelles. A key feature of nearly all prokaryotic cells is the cell wall, which maintains cell shape, and provides physical protection. Most bacterial cell walls contain peptidoglycan, a network of modified-sugar polymers cross-linked by short polypeptides.
All known pathogenic bacteria fall under prokaryotes, but not all bacteria are pathogenic (Madigan et.al 2009). Using a differential staining technique bacteria can be divided into two groups; gram positive or

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