Which piece of laboratory equipment is designed to safely contain bacterial cultures?

The Petri dish is designed specifically for culturing bacteria and other microorganisms under controlled conditions. Its shallow, flat shape, coupled with a lid, creates a conducive environment for bacteria to grow while allowing for sufficient airflow. This setup also minimizes the risk of contamination from the external environment, making it ideal for microbiological experiments.

In contrast, a test tube is typically used for holding, mixing, or heating samples but is not specifically designed for culturing bacteria. While a centrifuge tube is used in centrifugation processes to separate substances based on their density, it is not suitable for bacteriological growth. Finally, a beaker serves primarily for mixing, heating, or holding liquids, and lacks the necessary characteristics for containing bacteria effectively. Thus, the Petri dish stands out as the most appropriate equipment for safely containing bacterial cultures.