Inoculating Loop - GCSE Biology Definition

An inoculating loop is a small laboratory tool used by scientists, especially in biology and microbiology, to collect samples of bacteria or other microorganisms. It looks like a thin metal rod with a tiny loop at the end, a bit like a wire with a small circle at the top. The loop is often sterilised by heating it in a flame before and after use, to kill any microbes on it. This ensures that when you touch the loop to a culture, like a petri dish with bacteria, you only transfer the microbes you want to study and nothing else. Inoculating loops are essential for safely handling and transferring tiny samples of living things in experiments.