However, we treat even these weak strains of bacteria as if they were dangersous, handling them with caution. BakersU yeast is another important microbe in biotechnology. It is also single-celled and doubles rapidly at 37C, but it is a eukaryote like us, with everal li near chromosomes in a nucleus. Since the students learned previously that some bacteria are beneficial and normally inhabit our bodies, they are prepared to hypothesize concerning the effect of handwashing on the bacterial count of their fingers. Even in public health studies the results are ambiguou s.
Students discuss how to repeat the experiment with a better design.
Aseptic handling Working with microbes and cell cultures requires strict adherence to aseptic methods. By learning the simple ways to handle materials and yourself so you do no t pass germs, you can minimize problems due to overgrowht of the cultures with contaminating microbes. Microbes are in the air, on everything that is exposed to the air, on our clothing, bodies, hands, fingers, hair, pens, pencils, lab bench, gum, etc. Aseptic handling is not difficult. It just takes practice, practice, practice, and attention.