What is the difference between a bacterial cell and a bacterial colony?

As we discussed, a bacterium (plural bacteria) is a single-celled organism too small to be seen without a microscope. This pile of cells originates from one cell and is called a bacterial colony. Each species of bacteria produces a colony that looks different from the colonies produced by other species of bacteria.

How is a bacterial colony formed?

A bacterial colony is a group of bacteria that are derived from a single parent cell. Bacterial cells are formed when a single parent cell divides to produce multiple copies that are genetically identical to produce clusters of bacteria to form a bacterial colony. Bacterial colonies arise through binary fission.

Why is it important to identify bacterial colonies?

Observing colony morphology is an important skill used in the microbiology laboratory to identify microorganisms. Colonies need to be well isolated from other colonies to observe the characteristic shape, size, color, surface appearance, and texture. Another important characteristic of a bacterial colony is hemolysis.

What are the main features of bacteria colonies?

Bacterial colonies are frequently shiny and smooth in appearance. Other surface descriptions might be: veined, rough, dull, wrinkled (or shriveled), glistening. 1c. Color – It is important to describe the color or pigment of the colony.

How would you describe a microbial colony?

Bacterial colonies are frequently shiny and smooth in appearance. Other surface descriptions might be: veined, rough, dull, wrinkled (or shriveled), glistening.

What is the purpose of Subculturing?

Subculturing, also referred to as passaging cells, is the removal of the medium and transfer of cells from a previous culture into fresh growth medium, a procedure that enables the further propagation of the cell line or cell strain.

What is bacterial colony size?

The diameter of a representative colony may be measured in millimeters or described in relative terms such as pinpoint, small, medium, large. Tiny colonies are also referred to as punctiform (pin-point). Colonies larger than about 5 mm are likely to be motile organisms.

What is bacterial colony morphology?

Colony morphology is the visual culture characteristics of a bacterial colony on an agar plate. Observing colony morphology is an important skill used in the microbiology laboratory to identify microorganisms.

How to identify a bacterial colony?

Colony Morphology of Bacteria Colony Shape. Size of the bacterial colony. Appearance of the colony surface. Consistency/Texture Color of the colonies (pigmentation) Some bacteria produce pigment when they grow in the medium e.g., green pigment produces by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, buff-colored colonies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in L.J medium, Opacity of the bacterial colony.

What does a bacterial colony represent?

Bacteria. Each distinct circular colony should represent an individual bacterial cell or group that has divided repeatedly. Being kept in one place, the resulting cells have accumulated to form a visible patch. Most bacterial colonies appear white, cream, or yellow in color, and fairly circular in shape.

What is the difference between bacterial and fungal colony?

The key difference between bacterial and fungal colonies is that bacterial colonies are visible masses of bacterial cells arising from single bacterial cells while fungal colonies are visible masses of fungi arising from a single spore or mycelial fragment.

What are the characteristics of a bacterial colony?

Appearance of the colony surface: Bacterial colonies are frequently shiny and smooth in appearance. Other surface descriptions might be: dull (opposite of glistening), veined, rough, wrinkled (or shriveled), glistening.