What is the correct way to open an agar plate to either remove a sample or to inoculate?
Correct Answer:
Open lid slightly on one side. in a clam-shell fashion.
Rationale:
🩺 Open lid slightly on one side, in a clam-shell fashion — This is correct because it minimizes exposure of the agar surface to airborne contaminants while still allowing access for inoculation or sample removal—
🩺 Remove the lid completely and set it on the bench in an upright position — This is incorrect because it exposes the agar surface directly to contaminants in the air—
🩺 Remove the lid completely, holding it in your hand, not setting it on the bench — This is incorrect because even though you don’t set it down, the agar is still widely exposed to contamination—
🩺 Remove the lid completely and set it on the bench upside down — This is incorrect because it exposes the agar and also risks contaminating the lid itself—
