Module: Catalase Test
Main menu
Description: provides a detailed explanation of the purpose, mechanism, method, and
interpretation of the catalase test.
Steps: step-by-step instructions for carrying out the catalase test, with short video clips
demonstrating each step.
Restart: begins the virtual exercise
Method
1. Click on the H2O2 bottle and drag it to a glass slide to place a drop of H2O2 on the slide.
2. Click on the box of sterile sticks to select one stick, which becomes the mouse.
3. Click on one of the plates and then pick an isolated colony using the stick (mouse).
4. Move the stick (with bacteria) to the drop of H2O2 on the slide and click once.
5. Drag the tip into the drop of H2O2 on the slide and gently mix into the solution.
6. Observe for bubbling and answer question that pops up by clicking “positive” or “negative”.
7. The mouse will still be your stick, which is now contaminated and must be disposed of in the
biohazard waste container by clicking on the appropriately labeled waste container.
8. The exercise can then be repeated for the second plate and glass slide.
9. At the end of the exercise, remember to place the contaminated glass slides in the appropriate
sharps waste container.