NAME: DATE:

Lab Report
Identification of Unknown Bacteria: Help
save baby Kuppelfangs from an epidemic!

This lab report is for you to reflect on what you completed and learned in this simulation, and to practice your
written scientific communication skills. Include enough detail to clearly describe the lab experience to
someone who understands the concepts but has not participated in the simulation. Use correct scientific
terminology whenever applicable.

Sections

1. Describe the overall objective and make a hypothesis

2. Introduce relevant background knowledge on this topic
3. Summarize the steps taken in the simulation
4. Explain any obtained results
5. Discuss the conclusions and implications

1. Describe the overall objective and make a hypothesis.

What is the overall purpose of the experiments or activities? Make a hypothesis. Recall that the hypothesis is a
claim that answers a question or makes a prediction about an event that has not yet occurred.

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Hint: The purpose is often stated in the welcome message of the simulation (as shown in the example image
below).

In order to further stop an epidemic from spreading, this lab aims to develop a range of scientific
procedures for identifying unknown bacteria. The tests carried out by this simulation identify the
particular kind of bacterium that originated on Earth and infected infant Kuppelfangs (from a
distant planet).
It is hypothesized that it would be simple to identify the bacteria and recommend an appropriate
therapy to further stop the spread of an epidemic if various tests including differential culture
media and biochemical assays are carried out.

2. Introduce relevant background knowledge on this topic.

What have you learned in class or researched on your own that would help prepare for this simulation?

Hint: You can review the “THEORY” section in the simulation (as shown in the example image below)

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For your entry make sure to include the following:
● Include at least three important details from the lab “Theory” tab, the Lab Manual, or other resources, in
your lab report that supports the simulation activity.

Background Knowledge
Single-celled, microscopic organisms called bacteria are present in all environments. Bacteria can
have two types: pathogenic bacteria, which cause diseases, and helpful bacteria, which help with
digestion. In the medical field, identifying bacteria is essential for making diagnoses and choosing
the right course of action.
In microbiology, it is crucial to comprehend the traits and actions of bacteria, particularly when
addressing illnesses. Bacteria are categorized according to their genetic makeup, morphology,
ability to stain with Gram, and metabolic capabilities. A variety of staining methods, culture traits,
and biochemical testing are usually used for identification.

To choose antibiotics that work and stop the growth of infections, precise detection is essential. In
this simulation, we employ a variety of microbiological techniques to isolate and pinpoint the
epidemic's causal culprit. For example, the staining techniques are used in the simulation, which
involves the classification of bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative catagories. Different
kinds of media are used to cultivate and differentiate microorganisms, facilitating the observation
of growth trends and biochemical changes necessary for precise detection.

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 3. Summarize the steps taken in the simulation.
Explain all steps you completed, including the equipment and techniques you used.

Hint: You can use the “MISSION” tab in the LabPad as inspiration (as shown in the example image below).

By swabbing a simulated infant Kuppelfang on the Astakos IV plant, a sample was obtained. The
microbiology workbench was used for the first process. To ensure that the gram stain was applied
correctly, the unidentified bacteria were streaked onto a MacConkey agar plate and placed in the
Bunsen burner alongside a controlled bacterium. A certain biochemical test was carried out
following an examination of the gram stain result. After doing an oxidase test, it was discovered
that the unknown material did exhibit oxidase.

The second step involved determining if the unidentified bacteria was gram-positive or gram-
negative at the microscopy work bench. Bacterial morphology can be observed, and separate
groups of bacteria can be formed using gram stain.

The following tests were conducted on the unidentified microorganism.

 Oxidase assay
 Test of Indole
 Staining with gram
 Catalase examination
 Acid-fast staining
 Endospore staining
 MacConkey Agar examination

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 Hematoxylin (blood sugar)

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 4. Describe any obtained results.
Explain all obtained results. Were these results expected or unexpected?

Hint: You can use the “MEDIA” tab in the Lab Pad to revisit relevant images from the simulation (as shown in the
example image below).

The unidentified bacteria revealed itself to be lactose-positive Gram-Bacillus. The blood agar test
revealed oxidase and indole to be negative, along with swarming with positive catalase. The
bacteria tested positive for Gram stain, indicating that they were. The coagulase test came back
negative; however, the catalase test came back positive. The bacteria grew best in conditions of
high salt content and body warmth. This would indicate that K. aerogenes is an unknown bacteria.
This would provide the precise drugs and care for the Kuppelfangs, and the sickness would heal up
in a matter of days when good progress had been achieved.
The outcomes were mainly expected given the known traits of prevalent bacterial infections. The
idea was supported by the bacterium's identification as a gram-positive cocci that is consistent with
Staphylococcus species and by its characteristics of sensitivity to antibiotics. Methicillin resistance
suggested that the strain was MRSA, which is consistent with problems that have been reported
while treating similar infections. The outcomes confirmed that biochemical testing and antibiotic
sensitivity testing are reliable methods for precise diagnosis and treatment strategizing.

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 5. Discuss the conclusions and implications.
How do your results relate back to the original purpose and your hypothesis? Were there any systematic sources of
error that could have affected the results? What did you learn?

The simulation's outcomes supported the hypothesis that a precise diagnosis of the bacteria could
result in choosing the best treatment that would stop the epidemic. Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the strain of Staphylococcus aureus that was discovered as the
causative agent of the epidemic in baby Kuppelfangs. This supported the forecast and made it
easier to choose suitable medicines, such as vancomycin.

In this lab, no noteworthy systematic sources of error were found. The methods and outcomes
aligned with accepted microbiological practices, indicating a high degree of validity in the data.

To correctly identify bacterial diseases, this simulation taught me how important it is to combine
several microbiological techniques. This all-inclusive strategy guarantees accurate diagnosis and
efficient treatment planning, both of which are critical for the management of infectious diseases.

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