Questions: In the pour plate technique the sample is diluted through serial transfers into liquid agar and then plated out into sterile petri dishes, spread across an agar plate using an inoculation loop in a pattern that gradually separates the cells, spread evenly over the surface of an agar plate using a "hockey stick", diluted through serial transfers into nutrient broth and then plated out into sterile petri dishes.

The answer is the first one: diluted through serial transfers into liquid agar and then plated out into sterile petri dishes.

Explanation for each option:

• First option: "diluted through serial transfers into liquid agar and then plated out into sterile petri dishes" is correct. In the pour plate technique, the sample is indeed diluted through serial transfers and mixed with liquid agar before being poured into petri dishes. This allows the bacteria to grow both on the surface and within the agar.

• Second option: "spread across an agar plate using an inoculation loop in a pattern that gradually separates the cells" describes the streak plate technique, not the pour plate technique. The streak plate method is used to isolate individual colonies by spreading the sample over the surface of the agar.

• Third option: "spread evenly over the surface of an agar plate using a 'hockey stick'" refers to the spread plate technique. In this method, a small volume of liquid sample is spread evenly across the surface of an agar plate using a sterile spreader, often shaped like a hockey stick.

• Fourth option: "diluted through serial transfers into nutrient broth and then plated out into sterile petri dishes" is incorrect for the pour plate technique. While serial dilution is involved, the sample is mixed with liquid agar, not nutrient broth, before being poured into petri dishes.

In summary, the pour plate technique involves diluting the sample in liquid agar and then pouring it into petri dishes, which is accurately described by the first option.