Question

1. How are cells treated after the primary stain is applied in acid-fast staining?

2. What counter stain is used in acid-fast staining?
3. What genus of bacteria have acid fast cell walls?
4. What diseases are caused by some acid fact bacterial species?
5. What would happen if heat is not used in acid-fast staining?
6. What stains endospores?
7. What is used to decolorize endospore stains?
8. What counterstain is used in endospore staining?
9. What would happen if heat is not used during the endospore stain?

Answer 1

1: After the primary stain is applied in acid fast staining, then the slide is left on the water bath for 3-5 min after that, the filter paper is removed and slide is rinsed with water until the solution runs clear. Acid alcohol decolorizer is run over the slide for 10-15 second. Now the slide is gently rinsed with water and secondary stain is applied for about 1 min.

2: Methylene Blue.

3: The genus Mycobacterium and genus nocardia.

4: Some disease caused by acid fast bacteria are- Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Nocardiosis.

5: In absence of heat the cell will not take up the stain because heat is required for the stain to enter the waxy cell wall.

6: Malachite Green.

7: Decolorizer for endospore staining is water.

8: Safranin is used as counterstain in endospore staining.

9: The endospore have outer cover made up of keratin which resist staining thus heat is used to enhance the penetration of primary stain, thus in absence of heat, the endospores will not stain properly.