BRAINCAKEAseptic Technique
Aseptic technique is the set of procedures used to prevent contamination: unwanted microorganisms getting into a culture, and the culture escaping into the environment or onto people. Contamination would affect results and could allow pathogens to grow.
Before starting
• Wash hands and disinfect the work surface.
• Sterilise media, Petri dishes and glassware in an autoclave (steam at 121 °C for about 15 minutes).
• Work near a lit Bunsen burner. The rising hot air (convection current) carries microorganisms away from the work area.
During transfers
• Sterilise the wire inoculating loop by heating it in the Bunsen flame until it glows red hot, then let it cool before use, so it does not kill the culture.
Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
More in Cloning and Biotechnology
- Microorganisms in Biotechnology
- Microorganisms in Food Production
- Microorganisms in Medicine and Bioremediation
- Culturing Microorganisms
- Serial Dilution
- Standard Growth Curve
- Batch Fermentation
- Continuous Fermentation
All 21 lessons in Cloning and Biotechnology · All OCR A-level Biology topics