Which type of hemolysis would show a green tinge on blood agar?

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Prepare for the TAMU BIOL206 Introductory Microbiology Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Alpha hemolysis is characterized by the partial lysis of red blood cells in the blood agar, leading to a greenish discoloration around the bacterial colonies. This occurs because of the reduction of hemoglobin to methemoglobin, which gives rise to the green hue in the medium.

In contrast, beta hemolysis results in a clear zone around the bacterial colonies due to complete lysis of red blood cells, and gamma hemolysis indicates no lysis at all, leaving the agar unchanged. Undecorated hemolysis is not a recognized term in microbiology related to hemolytic patterns.

Thus, the presence of a green tinge on blood agar is a clear identifier of alpha hemolysis, making it the correct answer.