What is an inoculating loop?

An inoculation loop, also known as a smear loop, inoculation rod or microstreaker, is a simple tool used primarily by microbiologists to take and transfer a small sample (inoculum) of a microorganism culture, for example for stripping on a culture plate.

What is inoculating loop and needle?

Inoculating loops and needles (sometimes called microstreakers or inoculating wands) are hand-held devices for inoculating plated or tubed growth media with microorganisms such as bacteria or yeasts prior to incubation, multiplication and growth.

Why is the inoculating loop important?

The inoculating loop is sterilised by passing it at an angle through the flame of a gas burner until the entire length of the wire becomes orange from the heat. In this way all contaminants on the wire are incinerated. Never lay the loop down once it is sterilised, or it may again become contaminated.

What is Loop in biology?

A packing structure of eukaryotic DNA that may be identical to a replicon. It is seen when the DNA is unfolded and visualized by electron microscopy, and shows the polynucleotide extending from closely spaced points of attachment to the nuclear matrix, which are presumed to be the terminators of replication.

What is inoculation in microbiology?

In simple terms, inoculation in microbiology is the process of introducing microbes into a culture media so that it reproduces there. Commonly, it is used in the introduction of vaccines, serum or any antigenic substance in the body so as to boost immunity against a particular disease.

What is inoculating needle used for?

An inoculation needle is used in the transfer of microbial organisms from plate culture to needle by first sterilizing the needle to prevent contaminants. The lid of the agar plate culture is then removed to allow the needle access to the microorganisms cultured on the agar plate.

What is loop biochemistry?

Loops are irregular structures which connect two secondary structure elements in proteins. They often play important roles in function, including enzyme reactions and ligand binding.

What is a loop of DNA called?

In molecular biology, a displacement loop or D-loop is a DNA structure where the two strands of a double-stranded DNA molecule are separated for a stretch and held apart by a third strand of DNA. An R-loop is similar to a D-loop, but in this case the third strand is RNA rather than DNA.

What did inoculation mean?

Medical Definition of inoculation 1 : the act or process or an instance of inoculating: as. a : the introduction of a microorganism into a medium suitable for its growth. b(1) : the introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies.