What is innoculating needle?

An inoculating needle is a specialized tool used in microbiology for spreading microorganisms onto culture plates. The needle is typically made of metal, and its tip is pointed and sharp, allowing it to easily penetrate the surface of the culture medium without damaging it. The needle is first sterilized by passing it through a flame or using an autoclave, and then used to transfer a small amount of cells from a pure bacterial or fungal culture onto a fresh agar plate or broth medium. This allows the cells to grow and form colonies, which can then be used to identify and study the microorganisms. Inoculating needles are commonly used in laboratory settings for microbiological research and medical diagnosis.