The exercises in this laboratory manual are designed to engage students in hand-on activities that reinforce their understanding of the microbial world. Topics covered include: staining and microscopy, metabolic testing, physical and chemical control of microorganisms, and immunology. The target audience is primarily students preparing for a career in the health sciences, however many of the topics would be appropriate for a general microbiology course as well.

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Describe the role of cells in organisms
Compare and contrast light microscopy and electron microscopy
Summarize cell theory