Retarding the Growth of Escherichia coli with Varying Light Wavelengths

Overview

Objectives/Goals Not all E. coli are bad, and UV light is harmful to humans. If there was a way to minimize the growth rate of the bacteria so as to harness what is needed then scientist could grow only what is needed for various reasons without the constant problem of over growth. Also, if extermination was needed, then UV light would not be necessary. People could turn on a non-harmful light to kill the bacteria without worrying about being exposed to harmful rays. Methods/Materials After gaining all materials needed, create E. coli dilutions of 1:1000 and 1:10000. Cover the nutirient agar plates with four drops of the poluted .09% saline solution. Place these coated plates upside down in their repective boxes for approximately 48 hours. After the time frame, remove the plates and count the number of colonies per quarter of each plate. 1. 3 lamps; 2.1 violet filter; 3. 1 red filter; 4. 1 yellow filter; 5. 15 agar plates with agar (3 per light, 3 control, and 3 tests); 6. 1 small vial of E. Coli; 7. 1 300 mL flask of 0.9% Saline Solution; 8. 1 incubator set to 37 degrees C; 9. 3 boxes with 1 window each; 10. Several pipettes; 11. Several Q-tips; 12. 5 vials with lids; 13.4 thermometers. Results Control 1 105 entire plate Naked eye Control 2 462 entire plate Naked eye Control 3 388 entire plate Naked eye Red 1 3 in center 40 magnification Red 2 19 in center 40 mag Red 3 19 center 40 mag Violet 1 1 center 40 mag Violet 2 31 center 40 mag Violet 3 35 center 40 mag Yellow 1 2 center 40 mag Yellow 2 31 center 40 mag Yellow 3 35 center 40 mag Research continuing Conclusions/Discussion

Competition history

• CSEF 2006 Microbiology · Entry S1312

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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