Question

The most effective way to sample airborne microbes is to
A) Blow air across the surface of an exposed plate
B) Take the lid completely off the plate for 30 minutes
C) Swab the protective surface of a room fan
D) Cough on a plate

Answer 1

Answer:

A) Blow air across the surface of an exposed plate

Explanation:

• Letter A shows a method known as Active Air Sampling, involving an air sampler to draw air across the surface of a culture (such as an agar plate).
• This allows the microbes to be attached to the agar surface, incubated, analyzed and identified in the laboratory.
• This is one of the most effective ways to sample airbone microbes by actively capturing organisms present in the air.