Hands on activities to celebrate Darwin 200.
For I'm a worm get me out of here and Brine Date experiment kits and for further information on Survival Rivals kits.
In The X-Bacteria practical protocol, students will investigate the way in which bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance.
Conjugation is the process in which DNA is transferred between cells through a special sex pilus or tube. In effect, two strains of bacteria, each resistant to a different antibiotic, are 'mated'. The 'mated' cells are then tested to find out if conjugation has occurred and antibiotic resistance has been transferred.
Next, the recipient, donor and 'mated' cells are plated on three different types of media: one containing rifampicin, one containing chloramphenicol and a third containing both antibiotics. After the incubation period, students interpret the results. They should find that antibiotic resistance has been transferred from one strain of E. coli to the other.
What's in the kit?
The X-Bacteria Kit contains everything you need to carry out this experiment in school, including:
• Slopes of both E. coli strains
• Antibiotics
• Petri dishes
• Enough equipment for 30 students to carry out the experiment working in pairs
Teachers notes available to download from
www.survivalrivals.org