Compare growth on plates collected from the culture experiment to the pictures and descriptions below for possible identification of the bacteria on your plates. Check organism links for additional information. Note: Both the experiment and chart are designed for middle school age children and include only basic bacteria examples.

AGAR GROWTH	DESCRIPTION	GRAM STAIN	POSSSIBLE BACTERIA
	*pinpoint*colonies on blood agar, some may have slight green or clear areas around the outside edge		Streptococcus, sp. includes Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumonia
	smooth white colonies on blood agar plate some may have clear zone around edges		Staphylococcus, sp includes Staphylococcus aureus
	large creamy white colonies as colonies get older small "feet" can be seen. Fungus growth may seem fuzzy.		Yeasts includes Candida albicans
	medium to large white or slightly gray colonies on blood agar plate Some colonies may be mucoid.		Gram negative rods includes Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi
	large dry spreading colonies or medium white colonies with double zones of clear beta hemolysis		Gram positive rods includes Bacillus sp. and Clostridium perfringes