Biology

Activity: Testing Antibacterial Agents

The link for this activity can be found on the Wikipage. https://www.classzone.com/books/hs/ca/sc/bio_07/virtual_labs/virtualLabs.html
Pre-Lab Questions
1. Explain the problem, which started this investigation.

2.

Explain the purpose of this investigation.

Materials
Select each item on the materials list. Then select Procedure.
Hypothesis/Prediction
Predict which of the following antibacterial agents will be the most effective at killing bacteria or at preventing
bacteria from growing. Rate each test substance as either effective (E), somewhat effective (SE), or not effective
(NE). Fill in the chart on the activity and also the chart below.
Table 1: Effectiveness of Antibacterial Agents
Rate
Test Substance
Mouth Wash
3% Hydrogen Peroxide
Antibacterial Hand Soap
Bleach
70% Isopropyl Alcohol
Household Disinfectant

Once complete with the table above, x out of the lab notebook on your computer and select Step 2.

Procedure
Follow the directions on the computer activity.
Observations
What do the cloudy areas represent in the Petri dishes? Less cloudy areas? Clear areas?

Click on the Petri dishes to analyze the results.

Complete Table 2 by describing the amount of bacterial growth in each quadrant. Use descriptive words such as
cloudy, less cloudy, and clear areas. Pay close attention to the areas surrounding the white paper circles.

Table 2: Test Substance and Bacterial Growth

Quadrant
Test Substance

Distilled Water (Control)

Mouth Wash

3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Distilled Water (Control)

Antibacterial Hand Soap

70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol

Household Disinfectant

Bacterial Growth

Once complete with the table above, x out of the lab notebook and continue onto the Analysis and Conclusion.

Analysis and Conclusion

1. Based on your results, what was the relative effectiveness of each of the antibacterial agents tested? Discuss
each one.

2.

Based on your observations, can you accurately predict how effective the antibacterial agents used in this
investigation will be against different types of bacteria? Explain.

3.

Explain whether or not a quadrant with no disk would serve as a valid control?

4.

Is mouthwash an antiseptic or a disinfectant? Why? (If you dont know what antiseptic is, Google it)

5. What might be a disadvantage to overusing antibacterial hand soaps?