An Analysis of the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance to Ampicillin In Escherichia coli
School Name
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
Grade Level
9th Grade
Presentation Topic
Microbiology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Eschericia coli, like all bacteria, hold the ability to rapidly evolve and develop resistance to potentially fatal substances, such as antibiotics. This experiment evaluated the spread of ampicillin resistance genes through a population via conjugation. Two strains of Eschericia coli, one resistant to ampicillin and one sensitive to ampicillin, were plated on normal agar petri dishes. 3 samples of the naturally resistant colonies were mixed with 3 samples of the sensitive colonies of Escherichia coli. After 24 hours of incubation, each of the 3 acquired resistance vials and 3 initial resistance vials were plated onto 2 fresh petri dishes, one containing ampicillin and the other not containing ampicillin. The growth of the bacteria was measured through a count of each visible, individual colony. The results of the experiment found that groups with initial resistance vastly outperformed groups with acquired resistance, thus causing the hypothesis to be incorrect. However, both strains performed better in dishes containing ampicillin than they did in dishes that did not contain ampicillin. As ampicillin should be detrimental for the growth of any strains of Eschericia coli, the odd results of the experiment suggest that there were errors in the execution of the experiment. These errors would likely be the result of the deactivation of ampicillin, or complications with the storage of materials. In order to further test the legitimacy of this experiment, it should be repeated with special care taken to the previously mentioned topics.
Recommended Citation
Engh, Jackson, "An Analysis of the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance to Ampicillin In Escherichia coli" (2020). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 64.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2020/all/64
Location
Furman Hall 126
Start Date
3-28-2020 9:00 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
An Analysis of the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance to Ampicillin In Escherichia coli
Furman Hall 126
Eschericia coli, like all bacteria, hold the ability to rapidly evolve and develop resistance to potentially fatal substances, such as antibiotics. This experiment evaluated the spread of ampicillin resistance genes through a population via conjugation. Two strains of Eschericia coli, one resistant to ampicillin and one sensitive to ampicillin, were plated on normal agar petri dishes. 3 samples of the naturally resistant colonies were mixed with 3 samples of the sensitive colonies of Escherichia coli. After 24 hours of incubation, each of the 3 acquired resistance vials and 3 initial resistance vials were plated onto 2 fresh petri dishes, one containing ampicillin and the other not containing ampicillin. The growth of the bacteria was measured through a count of each visible, individual colony. The results of the experiment found that groups with initial resistance vastly outperformed groups with acquired resistance, thus causing the hypothesis to be incorrect. However, both strains performed better in dishes containing ampicillin than they did in dishes that did not contain ampicillin. As ampicillin should be detrimental for the growth of any strains of Eschericia coli, the odd results of the experiment suggest that there were errors in the execution of the experiment. These errors would likely be the result of the deactivation of ampicillin, or complications with the storage of materials. In order to further test the legitimacy of this experiment, it should be repeated with special care taken to the previously mentioned topics.
