Key Stage 4
Meaning
Aseptic technique is a set of procedures used to make sure a culture medium is not contaminated when attempting to culture micro-organisms.
About Aseptic Technique
The following techniques are used to reduce or prevent contamination:
- Wash hands thoroughly with antiseptic before the experiment.
- Heating the inoculating loop red hot to kill any unwanted micro-organisms.
- Do not allow the inoculating loop to touch anything other than the desired micro-organisms and the culture medium.
- Keep a lid on the culture medium at all times when not adding the desired micro-organisms.
- Disinfect all surfaces in the area.
- Open the lid only enough to allow the inoculation loop to touch the surface of the culture medium.
- Avoid breathing in the direction of the inoculating loop and culture medium.
- Seal the lid over the culture medium with two strips of sellotape. However, do not make it airtight as this will cause the growth of anaerobic micro-organisms only.