agar plate

An agar plate is a shallow dish filled with a gel-like substance called agar, derived from seaweed, that provides a nutrient-rich environment for growing microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. Scientists use these plates to culture, observe, and identify microbes. The surface can be inoculated with a sample, and the microorganisms will grow and form visible colonies. Agar plates are essential tools in microbiology for research, medical diagnostics, and testing the effects of drugs or disinfectants on microbes. They are sterile until used and help scientists study microorganisms in a controlled, observable way.