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Name _________________________________ Lab Section _________
Control of Microbial Growth – Moist Heat – Results & Interpretation - (12 pts) – You will
hand this section in on the designated date.
Results – Use the images in the “Control of Microbial Growth - Results” document to
complete the table below. (8 pts – 0.5pt each space)
1. Which of the 4 bacteria tested are more resistant to moist heat? What might explain their greater
resistance to moist heat? (i.e. maybe a structure they possess) Explain thoroughly! (2 pts)
2. What is the thermal death point for each of the 4 bacteria tested? This will be a range such as
25°C - 37°C since you won’t be able to determine the exact temperature. (2 pts)
S. aureus: ______________________ B. cereus _______________________
E. coli ________________________ M. smegmatis _____________________
25 ºC
37 ºC
60 ºC
100 ºC
S. aureus
B. cereus
E. coli
M. smegmatis
60°C - 100°C
60°C - 100°C
SU23
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0
++
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+++
+
++
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+
0
+
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+
100°C - above
100°C - above
Alexa Campanella
B. cereus is more resistant to moist heat. This resistance is due to the endospores they
contain. Endospores are very heat resistant in order to protect the bacteria.
