SEA-PHAGE (BIO LAB) LAB FINAL
EXAM STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Compare and contrast the agar we use in top agar plating and a normal agar plate -
ANSWER-Top agar has a lower concentration of agar than normal agar plates and is
why we use top agar instead of normal agar
What temperature do we keep the top agora and why? - ANSWER-We keep the top
agar at 2-8 degrees Celsius in order to avoid loss of moisture
Why do we use top agar when doing plating involving phages? - ANSWER-Top Agar is
used when plating phages because it allows the page to spread throughout the bacteria.
This is because top agra has a lower concentration of agar
What is the purpose of DNA extraction? What do we start off with and what do we finish
with? - ANSWER-DNA extraction is done to isolate and purify DNA in high amounts for
analysis and PCR sequencing protocols.
What is the purpose of PCR amplification? What do we start off with and what do we
finish with? - ANSWER-The purpose of PCR amplification is to make many copies of a
specific region of DNA. At the start we have a strand of double stranded DNA with
target sequences and at the end we have many copies of this DNA strand.
Draw and explain proper streak plate technique. Compare and contrast the process of
streaking a bacterial colony and a phage plaque. - ANSWER-To perform a proper
streak plate get one sterile LB plate, flame in inoculating loop, perform the primary
street, then flying the loop, performing the secondary streak, then flame the loop,
perform the tertiary streak, and then you have finished the street plate. A bacterial
colony will form on the street lines and a phage will leave tiny dots or holes throughout
the entire plate
What items went into the phage enrichment? - ANSWER-Ca enriched MB, filtered
samples (sea water in my group), and host went into the phage enrichment.
Why do we add the bacterial host to the enrichment? - ANSWER-We add the bacterial
host to enrichment in order to provide more "food" for the phage to "Eat".
How do we check to see if our enrichment was successful? - ANSWER-We check for
plaque build up and then we hold the plate up to the light and check for spots/holes that
have been "eating" by the phage.
EXAM STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Compare and contrast the agar we use in top agar plating and a normal agar plate -
ANSWER-Top agar has a lower concentration of agar than normal agar plates and is
why we use top agar instead of normal agar
What temperature do we keep the top agora and why? - ANSWER-We keep the top
agar at 2-8 degrees Celsius in order to avoid loss of moisture
Why do we use top agar when doing plating involving phages? - ANSWER-Top Agar is
used when plating phages because it allows the page to spread throughout the bacteria.
This is because top agra has a lower concentration of agar
What is the purpose of DNA extraction? What do we start off with and what do we finish
with? - ANSWER-DNA extraction is done to isolate and purify DNA in high amounts for
analysis and PCR sequencing protocols.
What is the purpose of PCR amplification? What do we start off with and what do we
finish with? - ANSWER-The purpose of PCR amplification is to make many copies of a
specific region of DNA. At the start we have a strand of double stranded DNA with
target sequences and at the end we have many copies of this DNA strand.
Draw and explain proper streak plate technique. Compare and contrast the process of
streaking a bacterial colony and a phage plaque. - ANSWER-To perform a proper
streak plate get one sterile LB plate, flame in inoculating loop, perform the primary
street, then flying the loop, performing the secondary streak, then flame the loop,
perform the tertiary streak, and then you have finished the street plate. A bacterial
colony will form on the street lines and a phage will leave tiny dots or holes throughout
the entire plate
What items went into the phage enrichment? - ANSWER-Ca enriched MB, filtered
samples (sea water in my group), and host went into the phage enrichment.
Why do we add the bacterial host to the enrichment? - ANSWER-We add the bacterial
host to enrichment in order to provide more "food" for the phage to "Eat".
How do we check to see if our enrichment was successful? - ANSWER-We check for
plaque build up and then we hold the plate up to the light and check for spots/holes that
have been "eating" by the phage.
