Fastidious organisms

Definition

Fastidious organisms are bacteria that require specific nutritional or environmental conditions for growth. They often need complex media with additional growth factors.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fastidious organisms typically require enriched media, such as blood agar or chocolate agar.
2. These organisms may need specific vitamins, amino acids, or other growth factors not present in standard media.
3. Examples of fastidious organisms include Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Haemophilus influenzae.
4. They often show limited growth on general-purpose media like nutrient agar.
5. Understanding the nutritional requirements of fastidious organisms is crucial for their successful cultivation and study in laboratory settings.

Review Questions

• What type of media is commonly used to grow fastidious organisms?
• Why do fastidious organisms have limited growth on general-purpose media?
• Can you name two examples of fastidious organisms?

Related terms

Enriched Media: Media supplemented with nutrients to support the growth of fastidious organisms.

Selective Media: Media designed to suppress the growth of unwanted bacteria and support the growth of desired microbes.

Differential Media: Media that allows differentiation between different types of microorganisms based on their biological characteristics.