Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Lactobacillus under the Microscope

Lactobacillus is a genus of gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria that is a major part of the lactic acid bacteria group. Most bacteria in this group convert lactose and other sugars to lactic acid. In humans Lactobacillus is present in the vagina and the GI tract, where they make up a small portion of the gut flora. Typically Lactobacillus bacteria are benign, except in the mouth where they have been known to cause cavities and tooth decay.

Lactobacillus bacteria under the microscope at 40x magnification.
Lactobacillus under the microscope at 40x magnification.
These images of Lactobacillus were captured with a Richter Optica high power compound microscope using a microscope digital camera.

Bacteria captured under a Richter Optica microscope at 100x magnification.
Lactobacillus captured under the microscope at 100x magnification.
The Lactobacillus rod-shaped bacteria is part of the bacteriology microscope prepared slide kit.

Bacteria under the microscope at 400x magnification.
Lactobacillus under the microscope at 400x magnification.