why is it important not to shake the thioglycolate medium???

Answer 1

Heavier particles tend to settle to the bottom. If you don't shake it you get a lopsided mixture.pp

Answer 2

Thioglycolate medium is used to differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. At the top of the medium there is oxygen which inhibits strictly anaerobic bacteria. And the bottom of the medium has anaerobic conditions which inhibit aerobic bacteria.

If you shake this medium, then you may introduce air bubbles at the bottom of the medium. And then this medium may give you incorrect results when you use it to test bacteria.

Answer 3

shaking will produce too much oxygen; The strict or obligate anaerobes must reside in oxygen-free environments in order to survive. Their metabolism does not use molecular oxygen and they cannot protect themselves from the toxic byproducts that oxygen forms within the cell. Thus in the presence of even trace amounts of oxygen these cells will die.

Answer 4

it can become discombobulated