In: Biology
Discuss how the cell wall structure of a bacteria determines its gram stain reaction.
Answer-
The basic structute of cell wall in gram positive nacteria is a thick peptidoglycan cell wall ,while in gram negative bacteria the peptidoglycan cell layer is thin and has an additional lipopolysaccharide layer . In gran staining crystal violet dye is used for staining and 95% alvohol to decolorise the bacterial cell . On staining with crystal violet die ,the dye penetrates the cell wall in both gram positive and negative bacteria , later iodine is added to form a large complex of crystal violet. On addition of 95% ethyl alcohol the cell is dehydrated but the crystal violet complex being large cannot escape the cell wall in gram positive bacteria and is retained due to thick cell wall but in gram negative bacteria the lipopolysaccharide layer is degraded along with the thin peptidoglycan layer and the crystal violet die escapes the bacterial cell later on addition of saffranin dye the bacteria turns pink while gram positive appears as purple.
If this helps please give it a positive rating thank you!