The most common oral malignant tumor in cats is

If you had any issues during the test, please state them here. 

Molecular Diagnostics:  You ran a PCR cycle on 6 different samples. You then loaded the samples into a gel, flanking them with ladders on either side. After the gel was done running, you imaged it and found yourself looking at the above gel. The sample wells have been numerically labeled. Assuming that you ran a PCR with the intent to amplify a target fragment of 730 base pairs in length, which of the wells hosted a sample whose PCR did actually yield the desired result? Check all that apply. 

Gram Staining (Gram reaction) Is your organism Gram-positive or Gram-negative? Remember that this can be concluded based on the COLOR of your cells. 

Gram Staining: PLEASE ensure that you do this section BEFORE you complete the Traditional Diagnostics + GIDEON section.  Here, you will be expected to Gram-stain that same organism you are streaking for further isolation. For clarity’s sake, you will be asked to confirm once again which organism was assigned to you: A or B (letter will be indicated on that pre-incubated plate you would have received). You will be graded on your ability to properly carry out the Gram-staining procedure and to correctly interpret the results of the procedure by identifying the Gram-reaction of your organism, as well as the shape and arrangement of its cells.  When you are done with your Gram-staining procedure, raise your hand and a member of the teaching team will come over and look through your microscope. We will be checking if the image of the cells is sharp and clear at 100x (with immersion oil) and if their shape and arrangement is clearly visible (along with their Gram reaction). In the next few questions, you will then be asked to indicate the Gram-reaction (positive or negative), the shape, and the arrangement of your cells.

Streak for Isolation: You are not expected to submit anything here. This will just serve as a placeholder and will be graded based on your in-person performance in this section of the exam. 

Traditional Diagnostics + GIDEON:  According to the results of the growth on MacConkey Agar, can your organism ferment lactose? [answer] According to the results of the growth on MacConkey Agar, is your organism Gram-positive or Gram-negative? [Gramreaction]  According to the results of the growth on your Mannitol Salt Agar, is your organism likely to be Staphylococcus? [answer2]  According to the results of the growth on Mannitol Salt Agar, can your organism ferment mannitol? [answer4] According to the results of the Blood Agar test, which of the following is your organism capable of? [answer3]  According to the results of the DNase Agar test, is your organism capable of producing DNase, which breaks down DNA? [answer5] According to the results of the Phenol Red Broth test, is your organism capable of fermenting the carbohydrate in the broth? [answer6] According to the results of the Phenol Red Broth test, is your organism … [fermentation] ? According to the results of the motility test, is your organism … [motility] ? According to the results of the catalase test, can your organism decompose toxic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to water (H2O) and oxygen gas (O2)? [answer7] 

Streak for Isolation: You have been provided with two TSA plates: one new and unused and the other pre-incubated, full of bacterial colonies. Your pre-incubated plate should be labeled either “A” or “B.” You are expected to streak an isolated colony from the pre-incubated plate onto your new TSA plate in the form of a T-streak. Please ensure that you are streaking in the correct direction, changing sterile loops between streaks, and that you have labeled your new TSA plate CORRECTLY. You will be graded on your ability to correctly label the plate (red marker, along the rim, and including all of the key information), as well as your ability to properly streak in the assigned fashion (T-streak). You will get full credit if isolated colonies are present on your plate after 24 hours of incubation, which you can ensure happens by employing proper streaking technique. Please remember that the 3 sections of your T-streak should be labeled correctly (1, 2, or 3) and that you should streak from 1 to 3.  If you turn in a plate with pierced or punctured agar, you will NOT receive full credit for this portion. If you accidentally pierce or puncture your agar, please raise your hand so that we can provide you with a new TSA plate with no penalty. Once you submit your plate, however, you will not have the opportunity to redo this part of the midterm. 

Enumeration of Microbes: Here, you will be expected to calculate the CFU per milliliter in an unknown undiluted sample after being given an image of a Petrifilm, with its dilution factor indicated. Please ensure that your final answer provides the correct UNITS and calculation. 

Kohlering: You are not expected to submit anything here. This will just serve as a placeholder and will be graded based on your in-person performance in this section of the exam.  You will be graded on the maginification of your microscope (should be set to 4x or 10x), the clarity and sharpness of your object (the + sign or circle on your calibration slide, should be centered and focused) and the visibility of your polygon (should be fully in view and edges should be visible and relatively clear/sharp).