MadSci Network: Environment & Ecology
Query:

Re: What is the name of the tool used for smearing speciman on agar?

Date: Thu Dec 14 16:00:09 2000
Posted By: Pamela Norton, faculty, Dept. of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson Univ.
Area of science: Environment & Ecology
ID: 976600785.En
Message:

One book that I have refers to this item as a "sterile bent glass rod." 
This is accurate but lengthy. I have always heard this tool refered to as a 
"spreader", which is the term I use. A quick look at a biological supply 
catalog also shows spreaders. Actually, a roughly L-shaped glass rod will 
also work as long as the base of the L has a slight upturn at the end to 
prevent gouging the agar. Looks like:

	|
	|
	|__>     

I guess what you have in mind is more like:

	|
	|
   /_\

Both types can work, the goal is to spread the liquid evenly across the 
agar surface. See if you can practice on a spare plate with just water to 
get the hang of it. 

This sounds like a nice project, good luck!



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