Question

After using an inoculating loop or needle to transfer a culture from one medium to the next, what step should be taken next to avoid contamination?

Answer 1

To avoid contamination after transferring a culture using an inoculating loop, one must sterilize the tool by flaming it until red hot to maintain an aseptic work environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

After using an inoculating loop or needle to transfer a culture from one medium to the next, the next step to avoid contamination is to sterilize the loop or needle. This is typically done by passing the loop or needle through a flame until it is red hot, which will kill any microorganisms that may be present. Once cooled, the tool is then ready for its next use. Sterilization is crucial to maintain an aseptic work environment when handling cultures to prevent the transfer of unwanted bacteria or fungi, which can compromise the results of the experiment.