Information about bacteria may be obtained simply from observing the pattern and form of growth in broth or agar. The information gathered may indicate the oxygen requirements, motility, and even identity of the bacteria.

-Be generally familiar with all terms in the module.

Agar Plate Growth:
On agar plates, focus on the colonies of bacteria. Ideally these colonies represent a clone of a single bacteria. As the bacteria divides it builds the colony in a characteristic fashion. Therefore, by paying attention to the physical characteristics of the colony it is often possible to achieve a prelimnary identification of the bacteria.

Among the physical characteristics of the colony to note are color, size, shape, margin and elevation.

- Color: This is the easiest characteristic to recognize. Most bacteria will be some version of creamy/white/grey but many others will have very distinctive colors.
In this module be able to recognize:
* Red: Serratia marcescens
* Yellow: Micrococcus luteus
* Orange: Mycobacterium gordanae
* Blue-green: Pseudomonas aeruginosa- This pigment is secreted into the media.
This is not to suggest that these are the only red, etc. bacteria.

-Shape: The refers to the overall, general, shape of the colony. Be familiar with terms: punctiform, circular, irregular, rhizoid.

-Margin: This refers to the fine structure of the edge of the colony. Therefore, the colony could be circular but the edge itself could be smooth , wavy, or jagged, etc. Be familiar with the terms: entire, lobate, erose, undulate.

-Elevation: This refers to the profile of the colony when viewed from the side. Be familiar with the terms: flat, raised, convex, umbonate.

Broth Growth
-Location of growth
-- Top: called "pellicle", requires oxygen
-- Bottom: called "sediment", requires little to no oxygen
-- Throughout: called "turbid", able to grow at various oxygen levels.

Slant Growth: Slants do not provide much information as the bacteria are present as a "lawn" and not as colonies. However, the general shape of the lawn is referred to as:
-Even
-Irregular
-Spread