Question

What should you do with a plate of bacteria that will NOT be used anymore?

a) Place it in the appropriate receptacle for autoclaving.
b) Spray it with disinfectant, wait 20 minutes, and then place in the designated container for broken glass.
c) Spray it with disinfectant, and then place it in the appropriate receptacle for autoclaving.
d) Leave it on the lab bench for the instructor to clear away

Answer 1

Dispose of a used plate of bacteria by placing it in a biohazard-marked garbage container, not by leaving it on the lab bench, and follow all biosafety practices including disinfecting the work area.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you have finished with a plate of bacteria that will not be used anymore in the microbiology lab, it is critical to follow the appropriate biosafety practices and procedures for disposal. Leaving it on the lab bench for the instructor to clear away is not an acceptable practice. Instead, the correct method is to discard the bacterial culture in a garbage container that is properly labeled with a biohazard sign to ensure that it is handled and disposed of in a safe and appropriate manner.

This is crucial because all bacteria have the potential to be pathogens and may cause harm under certain circumstances. Moreover, your lab area should be disinfected both before and after working with bacterial cultures, and any accidental spills should be dealt with by thoroughly disinfecting the spill area. Always consult with your lab instructor for specific disposal guidelines, especially when handling bacteria of Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) which require additional safety precautions.