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Microbiology Lab

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Microbiology Simulation: Bacteria, Fungi & Protozoa

This microbiology simulation introduces students to the diversity and biology of microorganisms, focusing on bacteria and their unique features: cell wall composition (Gram-positive vs. Gram-negative), modes of reproduction (binary fission), and mechanisms of genetic exchange (conjugation, transformation, transduction). Students can model bacterial growth curves, observe how antibiotics work and how resistance evolves, and distinguish bacteria from fungi and protozoa by their cellular organization. It is a free virtual lab tool for microbiology and biology courses.

What you can do in this simulation

  • Model bacterial binary fission and plot exponential, stationary, and decline growth phases
  • Compare Gram-positive and Gram-negative cell wall structures and their implications for antibiotic susceptibility
  • Simulate antibiotic treatment and observe survival of resistant mutants and resistance spread
  • Explore horizontal gene transfer — conjugation, transformation, transduction — as a source of new traits
  • Identify differences between bacteria, fungi, and protozoa in cellular structure and lifestyle

Concepts covered

bacterial growth · antibiotic resistance · binary fission · Gram stain · horizontal gene transfer · microbiology

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