Which instrument is used to transfer bacteria between cultures?

• A. Micropipette
• B. Bunsen burner
• C. Inoculating Loop
• D. Autoclave

Answer: (C)

Transferring bacteria between cultures requires a tool that can pick up a small amount of bacterial suspension and deposit it onto another medium with minimal contamination. An inoculating loop fits this need because its slender wire can collect bacteria from a culture and spread it in a controlled way on a plate, enabling transfers or streaking to isolate colonies. It is also easy to sterilize by briefly heating in a flame before and after use, helping maintain sterile technique. In contrast, a micropipette is designed for precise liquid transfers, not for spreading onto solid media; a Bunsen burner provides heat for sterilization but does not transfer cultures itself; an autoclave sterilizes equipment and media, but it cannot perform the actual transfer of organisms between cultures.