Final answer:
The spread plate method and the pour plate method are two common approaches to inoculating plates for viable counts in microbiology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The spread plate method and the pour plate method are two common approaches to inoculating plates for viable counts in microbiology.
In the pour plate method, the sample is mixed with liquid warm agar and then poured into a sterile Petri dish. The dish is further mixed by swirling to evenly distribute the bacteria. The resulting colonies are counted and provide an estimate of the number of cells in the original volume sampled.
In the spread plate method, the sample is poured onto solid agar and then spread using a sterile spreader. This creates a uniform layer of bacteria on the plate. The resulting colonies are counted and provide an estimate of the number of cells in the original volume sampled.