In tabular form, write down 10 biochemical tests used to identify bacteria in the microbiology lab. Your table should have 3 columns: - Name of the test - Principle of the test - Examples of 3 bacteria known to be positive for the test
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Here are 10 biochemical tests used to identify bacteria:
Name of the test | Principle of the test | Examples of 3 bacteria known to be positive for the test
--------------------|-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------
1. Catalase Test | Detects the enzyme catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) into water and oxygen gas (bubbles). | Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
2. Oxidase Test | Detects the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase, which is part of the electron transport chain and oxidizes a chromogenic reagent. | Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Vibrio cholerae
3. Coagulase Test | Detects the enzyme coagulase, which clots plasma by converting fibrinogen to fibrin. | Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia pestis, Staphylococcus intermedius
4. Urease Test | Detects the enzyme urease, which hydrolyzes urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, increasing the pH. | Proteus mirabilis, Helicobacter pylori, Klebsiella pneumoniae
5. Indole Test | Detects the enzyme tryptophanase, which hydrolyzes tryptophan into indole, pyruvic acid, and ammonia. | Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Aeromonas hydrophila
6. Citrate Utilization Test | Detects the ability of bacteria to use citrate as their sole carbon source, leading to an alkaline pH change. | Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella enterica
7. Methyl Red (MR) Test | Detects bacteria that produce large amounts of stable acids from glucose fermentation, lowering the pH significantly. | Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella enterica
8. Voges-Proskauer (VP) Test | Detects bacteria that produce acetoin (a neutral end product) from glucose fermentation. | Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Serratia marcescens
9. Triple Sugar Iron (TSI) Agar Test | Detects the ability to ferment glucose, lactose, and/or sucrose, produce gas, and produce hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). | Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris
10. Motility Test | Detects the presence of flagella and the ability of bacteria to move through a semi-solid medium. | Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa