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How to write a lab report on identification of
unknown bacteriaBiology 225
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Sections of the reportTitleIntroductionMaterials and MethodsResultsDiscussionConclusionsReferences
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TitlePurpose: To accurately describe the scope
of your project
Be descriptiveInclude your tube #
Example: The identification of two unknown species of bacteria in tube #99
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Purpose: To introduce your project to the reader and tell how this work would be accomplished and its importance
Includes the question that began this whole processIncludes HOW you were going to answer the question
Possible speciesPossible tests, stains, etc.Possible techniques that could have been used
Includes the reasons that this type of experiment is important
Introduction
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Materials and MethodsPurpose: To tell the reader what you did and how
Describe what you didDo not include datesReference your lab manual – this is how you knew
what to do Do not forget time and temperature of incubation of
biochemical testsDo not repeat yourselfDo not list the materials
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ResultsPurpose: To represent your data/results in the best
possible way
Represent your data in tables and figuresTables and figures are “pictures” of your data that are
easily read and understoodDo not write out all of your results in paragraph formCaptions are crucial! Caption = descriptive title that allows that table or figure to
be understood by anyone, even outside of the original paperFigures are drawings, pictures, graphs – anything except
tables
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Example of TableStains, tests, characteristics observed
Gram + species Gram - species
Cell shape Coccus Bacillus
Cell arrangement Tetrads Single
Incubation temperature 25 C 37 C
Colony morphology Yellow, shiny, round Beige, shiny, oblong
Etc………
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Example of caption for tableTable 1 – Cell and colony characteristics,
staining characteristics, and biochemical test results from the identification of Gram + and Gram – bacteria in tube #99.
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DiscussionPurpose: To describe to the reader what your
logic was behind the choice of the two species that you identified
Explain your elimination process – how did you eliminate 8 of 10 possible species of bacteria
Discuss one of your species at a timeShow how the characteristics of your species
are related to the results of tests that you hadDiscuss any problems that occurred and give
possible causes for those problems
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Conclusion:Purpose: To state the identity of your
unknowns
A one or two sentence statement telling what the identity of your two unknown species of bacteria were.
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References:Lab manualPersonal communicationsBergey’s Manual…Your textbookWebsites – use complete URLOther sourcesReferences should be listed in numerical order that
they were used in the report.Superscript numbers are used at the end of
sentences were you used references.
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General tips….Write in the past tense – this is what you didDo not use personal pronouns….I, you, etc.This is a scientific paper. Be concise and to-
the-point.Cover all information adequately.
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More general tips….Use white paper and black inkUse reasonable margins and fontPut your name somewhere on the reportNO cover or coversheetLength – long enough to get the job done
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How to get startedWriting is hard!Start with what you know best – your
Materials and Methods sectionThen continue on with your Results sectionWrite your Discussion section nextThen finish with the rest of the sections
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GradingGradesheet in D2L10 points for correctly identifying your two
speciesResults = 20 pointsDiscussion = 25 points (THE most important
section)Minimum score of 70% to finish the courseLate point deduction = -10 points per day
late
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The End