Final answer:
To find which experimental culture resembles the starter culture, one must compare growth characteristics and colony morphology between the cultures by assessing size, shape, and color, among other traits. The influence of different growth media on bacterial appearance is also a critical factor to consider.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine which of the 4 experimental cultures most closely resembles the starter culture, one must examine the growth characteristics and colony morphology of the bacterial subcultures. You would typically look at attributes such as size, shape, margin, elevation, texture, opacity, and color of the colonies. By comparing these characteristics with those of the starter culture, you can identify the culture that is most similar. It's also crucial to consider the environment in which the bacteria are grown, as different media can influence the appearance of a culture, such as minimal media with glucose versus trypticase soy agar as demonstrated in previous experiments with Micrococcus luteus and Enterococcus faecalis.
Furthermore, by subculturing on a TSA plate and incubating at room temperature, you enable the bacteria to grow adequately for accurate comparison. The results from Beadle and Tatum's experiments with Neurospora crassa and the methods employed for grafting in Acetabularia crenulata hint at the importance of genetic and environmental factors in microbial growth and morphology.