A mixture of S.aureus and the enteric bacteria E.coli was placed onto the skin of the fingertips of a volunteer.The volunteer immediately touched one of their inoculated fingertips to nutrient agar plate #1 and then waited 30 minutes and touched a different inoculated finger to nutrient agar plate #2.After incubating the plates overnight, what pattern of growth would you expect to see on the plates?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

S. aureus is part of the normal flora of the skin and can survive on the skin for longer periods, while E. coli, being an enteric bacterium, does not typically survive well on the skin's surface. Therefore, immediately after inoculation, both bacteria would be transferred to plate #1. However, after 30 minutes, it's likely that the E. coli would not survive as well on the skin, leading to only S. aureus being transferred to plate #2.

A Mixture of S