Unknown Report

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Unknown report format -- typed!

Characteristics of unknown - to be included in report (in tabular form)

1) # of assigned unknown

2) Cell characteristics

• Gram stain (and cell shape)
• (endospore and acid fast -- if applicable)
• cell size
• cellular arrangement (microscopic)

3) Physiological tests (biochemical tests)

• oxygen requirements (fluid thioglycollate)
• glucose broth - phenol red/Durham tube (acid/gas)
• methyl red test (MR) = MR-VP media
• Voges-Proskauer test (VP test or butanediol fermentation) = MR-VP media
• catalase production = nutrient agar slant
• oxidase production = TSA plate
• starch hydrolysis = starch agar plate
• gelatin hydrolysis = nutrient gelatin
• tryptophan hydrolysis (Indole test) = TSB broth
• urea hydrolysis = urea broth
• hydrogen sulfide production = Kligler's iron agar (also note glucose/lactose fermentation)
• citrate utilization= Simmon's citrate agar

4) additional tests as needed to identify your unknown (list tests and results)

Also, your report should contain a paragraph explaining how you eliminated closely related organisms.

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