Petri dish: a container for microbes

Petri dish: a container for microbes

A petri dish is a flat, shallow plate made of glass or plastic with a fitting lid.  Petri dishes are used to grow different types of cells, including bacteria and mold.  It usually contains nutrients that cells need to grow.  
 
Glass or plastic  
Petri dishes can be glass or plastic.  Each has its advantages and disadvantages.  Petri dishes are made of Pyrex glass and can be sterilized by autoclaving repeated use.  Plastic petri dishes are usually disposable and must be thrown away.  
 
All shapes and sizes  
Most petri dishes used are round, but square petri dishes can be obtained for special applications.  Round petri dishes range in diameter from 30 to 200 mm.  The most commonly used size is 90mm petri dishes.