Which tool is commonly used to transfer microorganisms between culture surfaces?

• A. Inoculating Loop
• B. Pipette
• C. Beaker
• D. Spatula

Answer: (A)

Transferring microorganisms between culture surfaces requires a tool that can pick up a small, controlled amount of cells and deposit them onto another medium with minimal contamination. An inoculating loop fits this role well: a thin wire on a handle that’s sterilized briefly in a flame, then used to touch a colony or broth and streak or inoculate a new plate. This design lets you control the inoculum size and helps create well-separated colonies, which is essential for isolating pure cultures. A pipette mainly transfers liquids, a beaker is simply a container, and a spatula is used for solid transfers but does not offer the same sterile, surface-to-surface transfer control as an inoculating loop.