What are some examples of selective and differential media?

Examples of selective media include: eosin methylene blue, MacConkey agar, Terrific Broth, YM (yeast and mold), hektoen enteric agar, xylose lysine, and Mannitol salt agar. 

• Eosin methylene blue inhibits Gram-positive bacteria due to the presence of methylene blue, permitting only the growth of Gram-negative bacteria. 
• YM has a low pH, hampering the growth of bacteria. 
• Xylose lysine is selective for Gram-negative bacteria. 
• Mannitol salt agar encourages the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and is distinctive for mannitol. 
• Terrific Broth with glycerol is used specifically for growing recombinant strains of E. coli. 
• Hektoen enteric agar is designed for Gram-negative bacteria.  

Examples of differential media include: blood agar, X-gal plates, Streptococcuseosin methylene blue, and MacConkey agar. 

• Blood agar contains bovine heart blood which becomes see-through when hemolytic activity occurs. 
• X-gal plates are used to identify lac operon mutants.
• MacConkey agar helps differentiate bacteria based on their capacity for lactose fermentation. 
• Streptococcuseosin methylene blue distinguishes bacteria based on its ability to ferment lactose and sucrose.