Plate count
count of viable live cells, considered low end
CFU
colony forming units, used instead of counting cells because more than one cell could have landed there and started the colony.
serial dilution
diluting the bacteria in order to get 30-300 count, statistically significant.
membrane filtration technique
filtering drinking water through a membrane to catch microorganisms then grow them on a petri plate. Opposite of diluting
Turbidity
cloudiness of sample, indirect cell count, calibration curve
Indirect methods of counting cells
measuring turbidity, measuring dry weight
biofilms
ecosystems of bacteria that can form on anything.
steps of biofilm attachment