Aim: To compare the growth of bacteria on the outer toilet door lock to the inside lock.
Materials: -Cotton Swabs -Two Agar Plates -Sticky Tape
Method: 1. Collect agar plates 2. Collect bacteria with cotton swabs 3. Wipe the bacteria on the swabs onto the agar plates 4. Seal the agar plates with tape 5. Put them in an incubator to let the bacteria grow 6. Take the agar plates out of the incubator and observe the bacteria growth
Results: The bacteria that was present was yeast species, micrococcus roseus, staphylococcus aureus, bacillus subtillus. We knew from looking at the powerpoint and the descriptions of different bacteria to figure out what bacteria we had.
Discussion: Yeast species: Found in mouth, intestines and genitals which makes sense because it’s a toilet.. Micrococcus roseus:Found on skin in meat, water and dairy products. It was present from hands touching the lock. Staphylococcus aureus:Found on skin surface and inside nose. Present from hands touching the lock. Bacillus subtillus:Found in soil and vegetation. Present from hands touching soil or dirt and then touching lock.
Conclusion: In the end we found that the inside lock of the toilets has more bacteria than the outside lock. We think it’s because you turn the inside lock to get out of the toilet but when you enter most people just push the door without really touching the lock. Also you have dirty hands after you go to the toilet and when you touch the inside lock you are spreading the bacteria onto it.