Definitions: Special Media for Isolating Bacteria

Selective Media: contain chemicals that prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria without inhibiting the growth of the desired organism

Enrichment Media: usually liquid media, contain chemicals that enhance the growth of desired bacteria. Other bacteria will grow but the growth of the desired bacteria will be increased.

Differential Media: contain various nutrients that allow the investigator to distinguish one bacterium from another by how they metabolize or change the media with a waste product

*Techniques used >>  Compound light microscopy
                                       Smear Preparation
                                       Gram Staining
                                       Aseptic Technique
                                       Inoculating loop technique
                                       Streak plate procedure