Answers

Questions

1. Where did the slime-producing microorganisms come from?
   (They were in the aquarium water that was used to inoculate the test container).
2. In step 7, a slide that was not coated with any materials was placed into the container. Explain.
   (This uncoated slide was a control.)
3. How did the biofilm coverage compare? What factors seemed to promote the growth of a biofilm?
   (Smallest amount of coverage occurred on suntan lotion-covered slide, medium coverage on control, and the most coverage on petroleum-covered slide.)
   
4. How can you apply what you've learned in this activity to the content of this segment of SAF?
   (The plastic slide was used as a substrate on which living cells were coaxed into growing, just as the silicon wafer was in the show. The nature of the slide surface coating affected the success of this growth. Petroleum jelly provided an optimal surface for organisms to adhere to and encouraged the most growth. In contrast, suntan lotion discouraged growth. Likewise, chemical factors that are added to the surface of the silicon wafer also affect the success of the liver cell adhesion.)