The use of fluorescent-tagged antibodies allows the location of protein within the living biofilm to be assessed. These optical thin sections can be reconstructed via computer imaging to produce a three-dimensional image of the specimen. The optics of the microscope allows visual data to be obtained at various depths through a sample (typically the sample is an adherent population of microorganisms). The scanning confocal microscope is proving to be tremendously useful in this regard. Fluorescent-labeled antibodies, or antibodies combined with a dark appearing molecule such as ferritin, are useful in such studies. Of the samples in a population that possess the target of interest. The incorporation of antibodies to specific components of the sample can be used to calculate the proportion Microscopy can be extended to provide qualitative information. These qualitative attributes are important in categorizing bacteria. Examination of such smears will also reveal the shape, size, and arrangement (singly, in pairs, in chains, in clusters) of the bacteria. The dried bacteria can be stained to reveal, for example, whether they retain the primary stain in the Gram stain protocol (Gram positive) or whether that stain is washed out of the bacteria and a secondary stain retained (Gram negative). Microorganisms, particularly bacteria, can be applied to a slide as a so-called smear, which is then allowed to dry on the slide. The observation of a suspension of bacteria on a microscope slide (the wet mount) reveals whether the bacteria are capable of self-propelled motion. Microscopic observation of microorganisms can reveal a wealth of qualitative information. An example of a quantitative technique is the use of that solid growth media to calculate the actual number of living bacteria in a sample. An example of a qualitative technique would be the growth of a bacterial sample on a solid growth medium, in order to solely assess whether the bacteria in the sample are living or dead. These techniques provide numerical information about a sample.Īssessing the growth of a bacterial sample provides examples of both types of analysis techniques. Other techniques are quantitative in their intent. That is, they provide a "yes or no" answer. Some techniques are qualitative in their intent. Various techniques have been devised to permit the analysis of the structure and function of microorganisms. Qualitative and quantitative analysis in microbiology
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