Microbiology Study

As part of their GCSE Biology course S11 pupils visited the Microbiology Department at Hallamshire Hospital. Pupils learned how bacteria is colonised for identification.

First they saw the swabs (taken from various parts of the body) of blood and faeces being sorted. In the category II laboratory, pupils were shown how swabs are smeared onto agar plates in order to grow any bacteria present.

They were also able to view colonies responsible for diseases such as bacterial dysentery, diarrhoea and Salmonella food poisoning. Airborne bacteria which cause Tuberculosis are handled in the category III laboratory, which is at negative pressure to prevent accidental contamination. The tour finished with a look at tapeworms and other parasites. It was unanimously decided that they were glad they had already eaten lunch!