Which of the following is the most effective method to prevent cross contamination in a microbiology laboratory?

• A. Storing food and drinks near laboratory workspaces
• B. Leaving culture plates uncovered during experiments
• C. Regularly washing hands and using aseptic techniques
• D. Sharing lab equipment without sterilization

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of cross contamination: it refers to the transfer of harmful microorganisms from one surface, substance, or organism to another, which can lead to inaccurate experimental results or health hazards in a microbiology lab.
2. Evaluate each option by considering how it affects the risk of transferring microbes. For example, storing food and drinks near lab workspaces increases contamination risk because it introduces non-sterile items close to sensitive experiments.
3. Recognize that leaving culture plates uncovered exposes them to airborne microbes, increasing the chance of contamination and compromising experimental integrity.
4. Identify that sharing lab equipment without sterilization allows microbes to transfer from one experiment to another, which is a direct cause of cross contamination.
5. Conclude that regularly washing hands and using aseptic techniques are proactive measures that minimize microbial transfer by maintaining cleanliness and sterile conditions, making this the most effective method to prevent cross contamination.