Question

"E. coli is an intestinal organism, and Staphylococcus epidermidis resides on the skin. What do you hypothesize will occur when both are inoculated onto mannitol salt agar?
A. Both organisms will grow since they are both ubiquitous of 20.
B. Neither organisms will grow beacause 75% salt inhebits at organisms.
C. The salt inhibits the growth of E.coli which is not a halophyte, but S.epidermidis grows.
D. The S epidernidis will not grow since it must exist at as a pure cuture the E.coli will grow."

Answer 1

Answer:

C) The salt inhibits the growth of E.coli which is not a halophyte, but S.epidermidis grows.

Explanation:

Mannitol Salt Agar is highly selective and is widely used to isolate Staphylococcus. These microorganisms are capable of fermenting mannitol which is the source of carbohydrate. High concentrations of sodium chloride inhibit most bacteria except Staphylococcus.