Petri dishes are transparent, shallow cylindrical or rectangular containers used in laboratory experiments to grow microorganisms. The word "Petri" is pronounced as /ˈpɛtri/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It is spelled as "P-E-T-R-I", where "P" is pronounced as /p/, "E" as /ɛ/, "T" as /t/, "R" as /r/, and "I" as /i/. The spelling of "Petri" is named after its inventor Julius Richard Petri, a German microbiologist who developed this type of laboratory equipment in 1877.
Petri dishes, also known as petri plates or culture dishes, are shallow, cylindrical, lidded glass or plastic dishes commonly used in the field of microbiology to culture and observe microorganisms. They are named after German bacteriologist Julius Richard Petri, who invented them in the late 19th century.
Petri dishes are typically made of clear glass or transparent plastic and have a flat base and vertical sides. The clear material allows for easy visualization and examination of the cultures within. The cylindrical shape with a lid provides a controlled environment by preventing contaminants from entering while still allowing oxygen to pass through.
These dishes are usually filled with a semisolid, nutrient-rich agar medium or a broth that supports the growth of microorganisms. Microbiologists use specialized techniques to inoculate the medium with the desired microbial samples, such as a bacterial or fungal culture. The organisms are then allowed to grow and multiply within the petri dish under controlled laboratory conditions, enabling researchers to study their characteristics, behavior, and interactions.
Petri dishes are indispensable tools in microbiology laboratories and are extensively used for various applications, including identifying and characterizing microorganisms, determining antibiotic susceptibility, testing the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents, and isolating pure microbial cultures.
Overall, petri dishes are essential components in studying and understanding the vast and diverse world of microorganisms, aiding in scientific research and discoveries in fields ranging from medicine to environmental science.
Round glass dishes, fitting one above the other in a pile, about 1/2 inch deep and 4 inches in diameter; used for holding bacterial cultures.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Petri dish" is named after its inventor, Julius Richard Petri, a German bacteriologist. Petri developed this flat, cylindrical, lidded glass dish during the late 19th century, intending it to be a convenient tool for culturing and examining microorganisms. As his invention became widely adopted in microbiology and laboratory practices, the dish came to be known as a "Petri dish" in his honor.