Media in which all components and their concentration are known are called media.
Group of answer choices
Transport. Defined. Selective. Enrichment. Precise.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is Defined media.
Explanation:
Defined media, also referred to as synthetic media, are types of culture media in which all the chemical components and their concentrations are precisely known. This type of media is prepared using specific, measurable amounts of purified chemicals, such as salts, carbon sources (like glucose), nitrogen sources, vitamins, and other growth factors. Since the exact composition is known, defined media allows researchers and scientists to control the growth conditions of microorganisms or cells in a very controlled manner.
The primary reason for using defined media is to support the growth of specific microorganisms under highly controlled conditions. In experiments that require specific metabolic processes to be studied, it is essential to know the exact composition of the media in order to evaluate how organisms react to or metabolize different nutrients or chemicals. This makes defined media ideal for experiments in microbiology, biotechnology, and molecular biology.
In contrast, other types of media such as complex media contain ingredients like yeast extract or beef extract, where the exact concentration of nutrients is unknown. While complex media is often used for the growth of a wide variety of organisms, it doesn’t offer the precise control needed for experiments focusing on specific metabolic pathways.
Other types of media mentioned in the choices are:
- Transport media: Used to transport samples from one place to another without allowing the growth of organisms during transit.
- Selective media: Designed to allow the growth of certain types of microorganisms while inhibiting others, often through the use of selective agents.
- Enrichment media: Used to favor the growth of a particular microorganism, typically in the presence of other types that are suppressed or outcompeted.
- Precise media: This term is not commonly used in microbiology but could generally be understood to refer to media that is accurately formulated, potentially overlapping with defined media.
In conclusion, defined media are crucial for experiments where exact knowledge of the media’s composition is essential for understanding how specific nutrients influence microbial growth or behavior.