Methods of Studying Bacteria

1. Bacterial Morphology

1.1. Size

1.1.1. 0.5-2 um (diameter), 2-8 um (length) - average size

1.1.2. Haemophilus spp.

1.1.3. Bacillus anthracis

1.1.4. Corynebacterium spp.

1.2. Shape

1.2.1. Cocci

1.2.1.1. M.E.S.S

1.2.2. Bacilli

1.2.2.1. Ba.S.E.S

1.2.3. Spirilli

1.3. Arrangement

1.3.1. Grape like clusters

1.3.2. Chain

1.3.3. Diploarrangement

1.3.4. Tetrads

1.3.5. Cubical packets of 8

1.3.6. Palisade (slipping)

1.3.7. Chinese character arrangement (snapping)

1.4. Motility

1.4.1. Hanging Drop Method

1.4.2. SIM medium

1.4.3. Flagella staining

1.4.4. Serologic test

1.4.5. Fluorescent Antibody test

1.4.6. Swarming method

2. Stains Used for Microscopic Visualization

2.1. Staining

2.2. Types of staining

2.2.1. Rules for gram staining

2.3. Other staining methods

3. Bacterial Colonies

4. Culture Methods

5. Physiological Characteristics