Agar Plate - GCSE Biology Definition

An agar plate is a petri dish containing a gel-like substance called agar, which is derived from seaweed and used to grow microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The agar provides nutrients and a stable surface that supports microbial growth. In GCSE Biology, agar plates are used to study how microorganisms grow and to test the effects of different substances, such as antibiotics or disinfectants. By adding specific nutrients or chemicals, students can observe how conditions affect microbial behaviour. Agar plates are important tools for investigating microbial life, testing antibiotic resistance, and identifying different types of bacteria.