Liquid media is best described as:

• A. a medium solidified with agar or gelatin
• B. a dehydrated powder that must be reconstituted before use
• C. a nutrient solution that does not contain solidifying agents
• D. a medium used only for growing viruses

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of liquid media in microbiology: it is a type of culture medium that remains in liquid form and does not contain any solidifying agents such as agar or gelatin.
2. Recognize that solid media are those that contain solidifying agents like agar or gelatin, which allow the medium to solidify and support colony formation on the surface.
3. Identify that dehydrated powders are forms of media that require reconstitution with water before use, but this characteristic does not define whether the medium is liquid or solid.
4. Note that media used only for growing viruses are typically specialized and may not necessarily be liquid; viruses often require living host cells rather than standard nutrient media.
5. Conclude that the best description of liquid media is a nutrient solution that does not contain solidifying agents, allowing microorganisms to grow suspended in the liquid.