Question

In a microbiology lab, a technician uses heat to sterilize the nutrient solution that is used to grow a fungus. When the heating system breaks down he sterilizes with the help of a filter, with a pore size of 0.2 micrometers. When the fungus was grown it didn't grow properly and looked unhealthy. What is the most likely reason?

• A. The nutrient solution had a virus
• B. Heating makes the glucose in the nutrient solution more digestible
• C. Filtering removed some nutrients
• D. The nutrient solution contained a bacterium that was pathogenic to fungus

Answer 1

The correct option is A The nutrient solution had a virus

Media can be heat sterilized or filter sterilized. In this case lab technician uses 0.2 micrometer filter to sterilize the media. Bacteria is filtered and thus does not hinder the growth of fungus. Virus can pass through the filter and therefore they will also grow when incubated. And hence hinders the growth of fungi.