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About This Simulation
Use the serial dilution technique to quantify the effect of a novel antibiotic compound on bacterial growth.
Learning Objectives
- Set up a serial dilution of a bacterial culture and describe why they are used.
- Calculate the cfu/ml from colonies counted on an agar plate, given the dilution factor and volume correction factor.
- Set up an experiment and interpret your results.
- Provide examples of why bacterial growth rates have to be measurable/characterized
About This Simulation
Lab Techniques
- Serial dilution
- Colony forming unit calculation
- Learning
- Aseptic Technique
Related Standards
- No direct alignment
- No direct alignment
- B.1 Microbiology: organisms in industry
Learn More About This Simulation
Did you know that it’s possible to count bacteria with your naked eye? In this simulation, you will learn how to quantify bacteria using the process of serial dilution.
Find a novel antibiotic compound
Your colleague has just returned from an expedition to the Amazon rainforest, and has brought back a promising sample; a fungus that seems to inhibit bacterial growth. Your mission is to quantify the effect of this antibiotic compound on bacterial growth. But, you will only be able to succeed if you manage to combine smart experimental design, some simple mathematics, and proper microbial culture techniques.
Inquiry-based approach to quantify bacteria
Figure out how to quantify the bacterial cells by inquiry-based learning. You will learn much more by trial and error, and if you are up for the challenge you will be rewarded with some extra questions. Don’t worry, your virtual assistant, Dr. One, will be ready to answer your questions and guide you through the steps needed to perform the serial dilution. Make sure you use sterile techniques to avoid contaminating your bacterial cultures!
Don’t waste time and agar plates
In a real lab, this experiment would take a week or more to complete, but in this simulation it only takes 30 minutes! Plate out countless agar plates in order to quantify the colonies from your serial dilutions, but don’t worry, not a single plate will be wasted. You will learn how to calculate the colony forming units per milliliter (cfu/mL) of your bacterial culture using a cfu calculator.
Quantify the bacterial growth
Last, you will incubate the bacterial culture with the antibiotic compound to quantify the effect of the compound on bacterial growth.
Will you be able to determine if the fungal compound can be used as a new antibiotic?
Experience Labster for Yourself
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Easily bolster your learning objectives with relevant, interactive content
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For Science Programs Providing a Learning Advantage
North Dakota State College of Science
“They did the simulation at home, then completed the in-person lab within 30 minutes, no questions asked, and passed the quiz with flying colors.”
Lecturer in Human Physiology
University of Westminster
"I saw some of the students who clearly didn’t necessarily like sitting there reading a book discover they could turn on Labster and keep up with the rest of the class because it spoke to them.
Modesto City Schools
"Having something that's engaging for the students gives teachers that opportunity to breathe and get excited again. Because they're seeing the kids light up, they're seeing the kids engage with content."
Wenatchee Valley College
"The question always is, ‘Can we demonstrate that the students are meeting course outcomes?’ Check! We can do that.”
San José State University
"We surveyed over 400 students. More than 90% thought Labster was easy to navigate, and that it was fun, but more importantly, most of them felt confident that they could execute the labs in person. And that confidence is a big deal."
FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
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Labster is hosted online, which means that students only have to login from their internet browsers once an account is created.
Labster is only available for purchase by faculty and administration at academic institutions. To procure Labster, simply reach out to us on our website. Schedule a demo, book a meeting to discuss pricing, start a free trial, or simply fill out our contact form.
Labster simulations are created by real scientists and designed with unparalleled interactivity. Unlike point and click competitors, Labster simulations immerse students and encourage mastery through active learning.
Labster supports a wide range of courses at the high school and university level across fields in biology, chemistry and physics. Some simulations mimic lab procedures with high fidelity to train foundational skills, while others are meant to bring theory to life through interactive scenarios.