Question

The prepared petri dishes that kathy used contain sugar. Why do you think petri dishes contain sugar?

a) Petri dishes contain sugar to provide a nutrient source for microorganisms in order to support their growth and facilitate the observation of colony formation.

b) Sugar in petri dishes is added to enhance the taste of the agar medium, making it more palatable for microbes.

c) The sugar in petri dishes serves as a preservative, preventing the growth of unwanted bacteria and fungi.

d) Sugar is used in petri dishes to create a sweet environment that attracts insects, aiding in the study of insect behavior.

Answer 1

Petri dishes contain sugar as it serves as a nutrient source for microorganisms, providing the energy and carbon necessary for their growth, making option (a) the correct choice.

Step-by-step explanation:

Petri dishes used in microbiology contain sugar because it serves as a nutrient source for microorganisms. The sugar in Petri dishes is typically a form of glucose, which provides essential energy and carbon necessary for microbial growth and reproduction.

Moreover, the growth media in a petri dish may also contain inorganic salts, water, a source of nitrogen and amino acids such as yeast extract, and sometimes other nutritional elements like vitamins for fastidious or particular microorganisms. Since petri dishes facilitate the observation of bacterial colonies, the presence of sugar and other nutrients is crucial for supporting this process, making option (a) the correct answer: Petri dishes contain sugar to provide a nutrient source for microorganisms in order to support their growth and facilitate the observation of colony formation.