Question

1. Can you/should you identify bacteria to the genus and species level solely on the results of a differential stain. Why or why not.

2.Some bacteria fall in a vat of honey. Predict what will happen to the bacteria:

3. Are all Gram positive bacteria acid fast?

Answer 1

(1) Differetial staining method is a type of staining which allows specific parts of a bacterial cell to be stained. An example includes Gram staining method which largely differentiates the bacterial species into two groups, namely gram positive and gram negative, on the basis of presence or absence of a cell wall. However, it is an inefficient method of identifying a bacteria to its genus and species level. For that, we need to carry out molecular or biochemical analysis of the bacterial culture. Simply put, a differential stain cannot identify the genus or species of a bacteria.

(2) Honey is well-known for it's longevity. It can remain preserved and unspoiled for thousands of years. The properties that add to this nature of honey are high sugar content, negligible water content and high hydrogen peroxide levels. Microorganisms such as bacteria cannot survive in such an environment. They spontaneously die if they fall in it.

(3) All acid-fast bacteria are gram positive, but all gram positive bacteria are not acid-fast.