What is Agar plate?
[[File:Agar plate with colonies.jpg|thumb|250px|right|An agar plate streaked with microorganisms isolated from a [[deep ocean|deep-water]] [[sea sponge|sponge]]. Individual colonies may be seen at the center right.]] [[File:Ascomycetes.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Ascomycete]] [[fungi]] growing on agar plates]] An '''agar plate''' is a [[Petri dish]] that contains [[agar]] and some [[nutrient]]s (food for the microorganisms). It is used to grow [[microorganisms]]. For example, a blood sample of a patient may be put on agar plate, to let the bacteria that made the patient sick grow. These bacteria can then be identified using a [[microscope]] to let the doctor choose the appropriate treatment of the patient. When microorganisms grow on the agar plate, they form [[colony|colonies]]. Each colony has similar genetic characteristics. There are many types of agar plates that are used, but the two main types are defined and undefined. An undefined plate's nutrients aren't exactly known, but everything in a defined plate is accounted for. == Related pages == *[[Tissue culture]] {{LaboratoryEquipment}} {{-}} {{sci-stub}} [[Category:Laboratory equipment]]