Why might some lids on fungal cultures be taped?

Taping the lids on fungal cultures is primarily done to prevent contamination. In laboratory settings, it is critical to maintain the integrity of a culture by minimizing the risk of unintended organisms entering the medium. Taping the lid helps secure the environment and protects the culture from exposure to airborne contaminants such as bacteria, mold spores, and other fungi that may compromise the purity and accuracy of the results.

Fungi, including those used in research and clinical diagnostics, can come from the environment, making it essential to seal cultures to ensure that they reflect the growth of the intended organism. This practice is especially important in mycology, where various contaminants could easily outcompete the fungi of interest if not properly managed.

While some options touch on relevant aspects of fungal culture management, such as moisture and oxygen levels, the action of taping the lids is most directly associated with contamination prevention.