Calibration curve

Definition

A calibration curve is a graphical representation that shows the relationship between the concentration of a substance and its corresponding measurement signal. It is used to determine the concentration of an unknown sample by comparing it to a set of standard samples with known concentrations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Calibration curves are essential for quantifying microbial growth in various media.
2. They are typically plotted with concentration on the x-axis and measurement signal (such as absorbance) on the y-axis.
3. In microbiology, calibration curves often use optical density measurements to estimate cell concentration.
4. The accuracy of a calibration curve depends on the precision of the standard samples and measurement technique.
5. Calibration curves can be linear or non-linear, depending on the nature of the relationship between concentration and signal.

Review Questions

• What is a calibration curve used for in microbiology?
• How is a calibration curve typically plotted?
• Why is it important to use precise standard samples when creating a calibration curve?

Related terms

Standard Curve: A graph used in analytical chemistry that plots known values to determine unknowns.

Optical Density (OD): A measure of how much light is absorbed by a sample, often used to estimate bacterial growth.

Quantitative Analysis: The determination of the amount or concentration of a substance in a sample.