Topic : The effect of humidity on the growth of microorganisms

Aim : To study the effect of humidity on the growth of microorganism

Hypothesis : Microorganisms grow rapidly in moist condition

Variables : a) Manipulated variable: The presence of water

b) Responding variable : The growth of microorganism

c) Constant variable : same type of bread

Materials and apparatus : 2 pieces of bread, water, clear plastic bag

Procedure :

1) A piece of bread is sprinkled with water and placed in a clear plastic bag
labeled A.

2) The other piece is kept dry and placed in the clear plastic bag labeled B.

3) Both plastic bags are kept in a dark place for two days.

4) The result of the experiment is observed and recorded in the table below.

Results :

Presence of moisture The growth of microorganism

(mucor)
A: Moist bread A lot of microorganism (mucor)
B : Dry bread A few microorganism ( mucor)

Discussions :

1. After two days the mucor grows on the moist bread because of the presence
of water, but no mucor grows on the dry bread.

2. Mucor needs water to grow.

3. Hypothesis is accepted.
Conclusion : Microorganisms grow rapidly in moist condition.

Topic : Effect of temperature on the growth of bacteria.

Aim : To study the effect of temperature on the growth of bacteria

Hypothesis : bacteria grows and reproduce quickly at room temperature but not at
low or high

temperature.

Variables : a) Manipulated variables: temperature

b) Responding variables : Number of bacterial colonies

c) Constant variables : Volume of bacterial culture

Material s and apparatus : sterile nutrient agar, bacteria culture ( bacillus subtilis),
sterile petri

dishes and lids, syringes, cellophane tape, refrigerator

and oven.

Procedure: :

1. Three sterile petri dishes containing sterile nutrient agar are prepared and
labeled A, B and c respectively.

2. 1cm3 of bacteria culture solution is added onto the agar surface in each petri
dish by using a syringe.

3. The petri dishes are covered with their lids and sealed using cellophane tape.

4. The petri dishes are inverted and placed as below:

a) Petri dish A in a refrigerator set at 5⁰C

b) Petri dish B at room temperature (30⁰C)

 c) Petri dish C in an oven at 80⁰C

5. The petri dishes are kept for two days.

6. The number of bacterial colonies are observed and recorded.

Results :

Temperature Number of bacterial

(⁰C) colonies

5 None

30 Many

80 None

Discussions :

1. Microorganisms grow rapidly at room temperature

2. Temperatures that are too cold or too hot are not suitable for bacterial
growth.

3. Hypothesis is accepted.

Conclusion : Bacteria grows and reproduce quickly at room temperature but do

not grow at

temperatures that are too high or too low.

Topic : the effect of pH on the growth of microorganisms

Aim : To study the relationship between pH value and the growth of

microorganisms.
Hypothesis : Neutral condition is suitable for the growth of microorganisms

Variables : a) Manipulated variables : pH value

b) Responding variables : Cloudiness of the nutrient broth

c) Constant variable : Volume of nutrient broth

Materials and apparatus : Sterile nutrient broth, bacteria culture ( Bacillus subtilus),
distilled water, hydrochloric acid 1mol/dm3, sodium hydroxide solution 1mol/dm3,
cotton wool, test tubes.

Procedure :

1. Three test tubes labeled A, B and C are prepared.

2. 5cm3 of nutrient broth is poured into each test tubes.

3. 1cm3 of bacteria culture is added into each test tubes.

4. 1cm3 of hydrocloric acid, 1cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution , 1cm3 of

distilled water are added by using syringes into the nutrient broth in test
tubes A, B and C respectively.

5. The test tubes A, B and C are plugged with cotton wool.

6. The three test tubes are kept in the dark cupboard for 2 days.

7. The content of the test tubes are observed and recorded.

 Observation :

Test Condition of the Cloudiness of the nutrient

tubes nutrient agar broth

A Acidic Slightly cloudy

B Alkaline Slightly cloudy

C Neutral Very cloudy

Discussions :

1. After two days, nutrient broth in test tubes A and B becomes only slightly
cloudy because microorganisms do not grow well in acidic and alkaline
conditions.

2. In test tube C, the nutrient broth becomes very cloudy because

microorganisms grow rapidly in neutral condition.

3. Hypothesis is accepted.

Conclusion : Neutral condition is the most suitable pH for the growth of

microorganisms.