You might be wondering how a serial dilution is defined. Now that you know why dilution is necessary let’s get back to serial dilutions in microbiology 101. Cell counting is a time-consuming process, so scientists dilute the solution so there are fewer cells and use math to determine the original cell concentration. Some species of bacteria can double their population in 4 – 20 minutes! The rapid growth rate means that it is necessary to dilute the cell culture solution to count the cells. The reproduction rate is one of the many clues microbiologists use to identify microbe species. The concentration of the cells being plated can help scientists determine the reproduction rate of the organism being studied. Before plating and incubating a cell sample, scientists need to know the cell concentration of that sample. In microbiology, incubation is the process of allowing microbes to grow by controlling temperature, humidity, pH and oxygen levels. To incubate means to create an environment in which a living organism can grow. Then, get ready to become an expert in serial dilutions in microbiology 101! What Does “Incubate” Mean in Microbiology?īefore covering serial dilutions in microbiology 101, it’s important to understand incubation. Read on to learn about serial dilutions in microbiology 101. Keep reading to learn about incubation, serial dilutions, and how these lab techniques help scientists understand the microscopic life surrounding. Synthetic biology tools allow scientists to save time by automating lab techniques like serial dilution.

Serial dilutions are a lab technique that microbiologists use to determine the concentration of cells in a cell sample. These tiny organisms are called microbes. Scientists incubate these microbes in the lab, keeping them alive so their characteristics can be studied.But what is microbiology? Microbiology is the study of living organisms that are too small to see with the naked eye. You are probably familiar with some microbes like bacteria and viruses, but the category includes protists and fungi.

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