You have isolated a bacterium from a contaminated river but you are unable to culture it in the laboratory. Which method could you use to identify the organism?
A) Gram staining
B) Biochemical testing
C) MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
D) Nucleic acid amplification tests
E) Antibiograms

Question

You have isolated a bacterium from a contaminated river but you are unable to culture it in the laboratory. Which method could you use to identify the organism?
A) Gram staining
B) Biochemical testing
C) MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
D) Nucleic acid amplification tests
E) Antibiograms

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nucleic acid amplification tests, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), can be used to identify the organism without the need for culturing. PCR can amplify small amounts of DNA from the bacterium, allowing for sequencing and identification based on genetic markers. This method can also be faster and more sensitive than traditional culture-based methods.

You Have Isolated a Bacterium from a Contaminated River but You