Water as diluent? - (May/05/2009 )

Hey~

I have been using common growth media such as LB/NB or 0.1% peptone when diluting or resuspending cells.
When I do wet mount preps, I use PBS or 0.85%NaCl.
Is there a reason for using these?
Anything wrong with using sterile water to do all these? Can't I use water as a diluent to do serial dilution of my culture?
All I could think about is cells in water being out of osmotic balance and then bursting.

If someone has more backgroud knowledge on this matter, could you share?

Thanks,

Will this help?

http://www.protocol-online.org/forums/inde...?showtopic=7124