Science and Our Food Supply: Investigating Food Safety from Farm to Table

CAREER CONNECTION 

See real-life scientists in action! 

• 

Dr. X video, “The Inside Scoop” 

• 

Career Profiles folder

EXTENSIONS

Research the following questions: 

• 

Is it possible to eradicate all bacteria from the  

environment? Why or why not? 

• 

Would this be a good idea? Why or why not? 

• 

What essential functions do bacteria play in the  

environment? 

Bacterial Reduction Activity

 

1. 

Write a hypothesis and design a lab to remove or 

reduce the amount of bacteria on the areas where 

you saw bacterial growth. Test variables such as: 

• 

Different techniques, e.g., rinsing hands with 

water versus washing with soap and water,  

versus not washing at all. 

• 

Washing hands for different lengths of time:  

10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds. 

• 

Other variables that you might suggest. 

2. 

Record your predictions on your Lab Report Outline. 

3. 

Design the lab with your team, consult with your 

teacher for guidance, and carry out the test. 

4. 

Conduct the lab using a more quantitative  

approach: 

• 

Swab the surface. 

• 

Transfer the swab to 10 ml of buffered  

saline and mix. 

• 

Inoculate Petri dishes from the liquid. 

The web links provided throughout Science and Our Food Supply were current at time of publication. In 

the event that they change and/or are no longer available, we suggest that you visit the “home page” of 

the named organization. From there, search for topical information.

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