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  • Exploring Bacteriophages: The Effect of Mutation on Plaque Morphology and Disease Progression Kit (with perishables)

Exploring Bacteriophages: The Effect of Mutation on Plaque Morphology and Disease Progression Kit (with perishables)

Item # 124311P New Online Only This product is not available in our print catalog. Exclusive This product is exclusive to Carolina Biological Supply. With Digital This kit includes 1-year access to digital resources including videos, digital teacher’s manuals, printable student guides, interactive lessons, editable assessment questions, and more.

This lab introduces students to bacteriophages and how a simple mutation in the phage genome can change the progression of the phage's infection of a bacterial population. Students will use the double-agar layer technique to plate the T4 and T4r mutant coliphage, as well as a control plate. The next day they will count and describe the morphology of the plaques created by each of the 2 different types of bacteriophage.
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$91.70

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Overview

This kit demonstrates the effect a single mutation can have on the progression of a viral disease. Students create serial dilutions of 2 strains of the T4 coliphage (T4 and T4r). They infect a host culture of E. coli B and plate the infected cultures using an agar-layer technique. By looking at the difference in plaque morphology between the plates infected with the 2 strains of coliphage, students observe how small mutations in the genome of a bacteriophage can change the progression of its infection of its host bacteria. Students also learn and practice several techniques invaluable in microbiology, including sterile technique, serial dilution, titer calculation, and agar-layering.

Materials are suitable for 1 to 2 groups of students working in groups of 4. The hands-on portion of the lab can be completed in one 40-minute session followed by a 15-minute session the next day. The prelab can be completed in 30 minutes, and the analysis and assessment can be completed in 30 minutes.

This kit replaces and extends the Plaque Demonstration Kit A (items #124310 and #124310P).

Objectives

  • Describe the morphology of plaques caused by different bacteriophages
  • Observe how small mutations in the genome of a bacteriophage can change the progression of its infection of its host bacteria
  • Practice sterile technique and how to perform serial dilutions
  • Discuss the importance of controls
  • Draw conclusions from observed data
  • Demonstrate the understanding that patterns seen in simpler biological systems can help in the understanding of the biological systems of more complex organisms
  • Use knowledge of the bacteriophage lytic life cycle to answer questions about the effect of bacteriophages on the bacterial host and its environment

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills

  • Familiarity with sterile technique
  • Basic knowledge of bacteria, DNA, and proteins

Kit ships with perishable materials included. Note: Refrigerate coliphage until use; do not freeze. Keep bacteria culture and agar at room temperature.

For Educational Use Only. All orders are subject to Carolina’s Terms and Conditions
  • This item is only available from Carolina Biological Supply Company.
  • This item contains living or perishable material and ships via 2nd Day or Overnight delivery to arrive on a date you specify during Checkout. To ensure freshness during shipping, a Living Materials Fee may apply to orders containing these items.
  • This item is only available at Carolina.com.

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What's Included

This item ships with living or perishable materials (all   items). Please select a delivery date during checkout.

Components Qty Included?
Escherichia coli B Agar Slant Culture   1 Included
Coliphage T4 (104 particles/mL) Vial   1 Included
Coliphage T4r (104 particles/mL) Vial   1 Included
Tryptone Soft Agar, 50 mL   1 Included
Petri Dishes 20 Included
Sterile Serological Pipets, 10 mL 3 Included
Sterile Serological Pipets, 5 mL 2 Included
Sterile Serological Pipets, 1 mL 11 Included
Bulb Pipets, 1 mL 3 Included
Test Tubes 10 Included
Tryptone Base Layer Agar Bottles 2 Included
Tryptone Broth Tubes, 5 mL 2 Included
Serial Dilution Tryptone Broth Tubes, 9 mL 4 Included
Carolina Science Online® Resources (1-year subscription) 1 Included
Teacher's Manual with Reproducible Student Guide 1 Included
Pipetting Devices for Serological Pipets 1 Needed, Not Included
Paper Towels Needed, Not Included
Permanent Markers 1 Needed, Not Included
Bunsen Burner 1 Needed, Not Included
Incubator, 37° C 1 Needed, Not Included
Test Tube Racks 1 Needed, Not Included
Water Bath, 48° C 1 Needed, Not Included
Thermometer 1 Needed, Not Included
Microwave Oven or Boiling Water Bath 1 Needed, Not Included

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