Week One

Why is important to prepare a clean area before starting an experiment in the microbiology laboratory?

To prevent contamination of cultures and samples

Identify which activity should be avoided prior to starting an experiment in the microbiology laboratory.

Wearing open toed shoes

When should soap be added to the hands?

after the hands are wet

Which is the most appropriate disposal for a swab used to culture your throat during lab?

biohazard bag

Which of the following environments would likely be free of microbial life?

sterilized field in operating room, and inside properly canned food

Explain what is meant by "ubiquity of microbes"

they are present in all environments, occurring with large biomass and biodiversity

The term "ubiquitous" refers to the fact that microorganisms are naturally found in nearly every environment. true or false

true

Which of these steps will prevent the immediate recontamination of the hands after washing?

using a paper towel to turn off the faucet handle

In which situation is it most important that long hair be tied back in the laboratory?

when working with a Bunsen burner

Which of the following are examples of safety equipment found in nearly every laboratory classroom? (Select all that apply)

- fire extinguisher - first aid kit - eye wash - chemical shower

Gloves provide protection against (Select all that apply)

- infectious microorganisms - contamination of cultures with skin bacteria from the hands - broken glass and sharps - exposure to chemicals and stains

Which of the following are potential hazards which you might encounter in the laboratory? (Select all that apply)

- infectious microorganisms - open flames - hot surfaces - corrosive chemicals - sharp tools or broken glass

Who and/or what is protected by lab safety protocols? (Select all that apply)

- students doing lab activities - lab instructors and technical assistants - anyone who walks into the lab - the physical lab space and the equipment housed within the lab

Which items can be discarded in a regular trash can? (Select all that apply)

- uncontaminated waste paper - wrappers from swabs or from disposable pipettes

Which of the following items should be disposed of in a biohazard bag? (Select all that apply)

- used agar plates - gloves used while working with infectious microorganisms - paper towels used to clean up a bacterial spill - animal tissue animal tissue

When is it critical to wear gloves in the laboratory? Select all that apply.

- when working with toxic chemicals. - when performing dissection experiments. - when working with sterile mammalian cell cultures.

How many biosafety levels are there for selected infectious agents?

four

Which item should be worn at ALL times in the laboratory?

lab coat

Which of the following should be worn at ALL times in the lab? (Select all that apply)

lab coat and close-toed shoes

Which of the following liquids can be safety pipetted by mouth? (Select all that apply)

none

Microorganisms may be found in which of the following locations?

on your hands, in the air, on a disinfected surface

Lab coats, gloves, face masks, and goggles are all examples of:

personal protective equipment

Which of the following are reasons for washing hands before and after lab activities? (Select all that apply)

- Hands may be a source of contamination to the lab experiments. - Hands may become contaminated with infectious bacteria during lab experiments. - Hands may become stained during lab. - Hands may be contaminated with irritating chemicals during experiments.

What should be done to prepare or deal with a laboratory emergency? (Select all that apply)

- Know the location of safety equipment such as the fire extinguisher. - Notify your instructor regarding spills or nonemergency situations. - Call 911 if an emergency occurs.

Identify the correct statements about lab coats. (Select all that apply)

- Lab coats provide some protection against contamination with infectious microorganisms. - Lab coats provide some protection against exposure to corrosive chemicals.

Describe environmental factors that influence microbial growth and speculate about what the ideal environment for most microbes would be

- Temperature, pH, presence or absence of oxygen, osmotic pressure - a warm, moist, protein-rich environment that is pH neutral or low acid

Which of the following represent important safety procedures for microbiology students? (Select all that apply)

- Wash your hands before and after laboratory procedures. - Disinfect your lab bench at the beginning and end of the lab period. - Take extra care around the flame of a Bunsen burner by tying up hair and keeping it from combustibles.

Goggles or appropriate safety glasses protect the eyes from (Select all that apply)

- chemical splashes - UV exposure when using UV radiation in the laboratory

List the Seven Cardinal Rules of Microbiology (in the syllabus!)

1. don't mouth pipette 2. manipulate infectious fluids carefully: avoid generating aerosols & contain and disinfect spills immediately 3. restrict use of needles and sharp objects 4. wear protective clothing 5. wash hands after exposure, before and after lab 6. decontaminate surfaces before and after use 7. no eating, drinking, storing food, or applying cosmetics in the lab

How long should the hands be lathered with soap and water?

20 seconds

What biosafety level is designated for organisms that don't usually cause disease in humans?

BSL-1

Introductory microbiology laboratories are usually designated as which biosafety level?

BSL-1 or BSL-2

All laboratory chemicals can be disposed of by pouring them down the drain. true or false

false

Hand washing once just prior to labs is the only time hand washing is recommended to avoid personal contamination. true or false

false

If gloves are worn in lab, hand washing is unnecessary. true or false

false

Only laboratories BSL-3 and higher require fire extinguishers, emergency showers and eye wash stations. true or false

false

Thoroughly washing hands will sterilize them. true or false

false