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Why is it critical to use aseptic technique when transferring the antibiotic disks to the agar?

A. Contaminating organisms could produce their own antibiotics.
B. Contaminating microorganisms could break down the antibiotics.
C. Contaminating microorganisms could alter the diffusion of the antibiotics through the agar.
D. All available answers are correct.

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

Answer D is correct because contaminating microorganisms could affect the results of the antibiotic susceptibility test by producing their antibiotics, breaking down the antibiotics, or altering their diffusion through the agar.

Step-by-step explanation:

It is critical to use an aseptic technique when transferring the antibiotic disks to the agar to ensure that contaminating microorganisms do not interfere with the test results. Answer D, which states that all available answers are correct, is the accurate response. Contaminants could potentially produce their antibiotics, break down the antibiotics being tested, or alter the diffusion of the antibiotics through the agar, all of which could affect the interpretation of the zone of inhibition that indicates the effectiveness of the antimicrobial agents. The disk-diffusion method, specifically the Kirby-Bauer assay, is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotics, and it requires careful preparation of the agar plates and accurate measurement of the zones of inhibition without the interference of unwanted microorganisms.

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