Q.66. The technique of microbial “pure culture” was pioneered by
(A) Edward Jenner
(B) Louis Pasteur
(C) Robert Hooke
(D) Robert Koch

The technique of microbial “pure culture,” essential for isolating single bacterial species, was pioneered by Robert Koch. This breakthrough enabled precise identification of disease-causing microbes. The correct answer is (D) Robert Koch.​

Correct Answer

Robert Koch developed methods like agar plate streaking and pour plates to grow bacteria in isolation. His work in the 1880s, including culturing anthrax and tuberculosis bacilli, established pure culture as a microbiology cornerstone. Koch’s techniques remain standard in labs today.​

Option Analysis

Edward Jenner

Edward Jenner pioneered smallpox vaccination in 1796 using cowpox material. His cowpox-smallpox immunity discovery founded vaccinology, not microbial culturing.​

Louis Pasteur

Louis Pasteur advanced germ theory, disproved spontaneous generation, and invented pasteurization. He studied microbial fermentation but did not develop pure culture isolation methods.​

Robert Hooke

Robert Hooke observed microorganisms through early microscopes in 1665, coining “cell.” His work laid microscopy foundations without pure culture techniques.​

Robert Koch

Koch isolated pure cultures using agar suggested by Fanny Hesse, enabling Koch’s postulates for linking microbes to diseases like anthrax and TB.​