Tag: cell wall and cell membrane

Gram staining procedure is based on the principle of the ability of microorganisms to retain color of the stains used during the gram staining process. Gram-positive bacteria retain purple color after staining. They are not decolorized by treatment with alcohol. Whereas gram-negative bacteria are decolorized by the alcohol and lose purple color. When again stained with the second stain, they retain pink color. This major difference is due to the difference in the cell wall component of both the bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria contain additional peptidoglycan layer and a thin layer of LPS layer. 

All bacteria posses cell wall. However, the bacteria are classified as Gram positive bacteria and Gram negative bacteria on the basis of their cell wall. Cell wall of Gram positive bacteria consist of multiple layer of peptidoglycan. Cell wall of Gram negative bacteria is made up thin layer of peptidoglycan. In addition, they have one more outer layer of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Gram staining procedure is based on the principle of the ability of microorganisms to retain the color of the stains used during the gram staining process. Gram-positive bacteria retain purple color after staining with Crystal Violet stain. Iodine is added as a mordant to form the crystal violet-iodine complex. They are not decolorized by treatment with alcohol. Whereas gram-negative bacteria are decolorized by the alcohol and lose the purple color of Crystal Violet stain. When again stained with second stain Saffranin, they retain pink color. This major difference is due to the difference in the cell wall component of both the bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria contain additional peptidoglycan layer and a thin layer of LPS layer. 

Streptomycin is an antibiotic which is used in the treatment of bacterial infections. It belongs to the Aminoglycoside antibacterial class. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It is effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It is used in the treatment of tuberculosis, endocarditis, plague, rat bite fever. 

Both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria have a peptidoglycan layer in the cell wall. The peptidoglycan in Gram negative bacteria is present in the periplasmic space. Apart from this, Gram negative bacteria have an outer wall made up of lipopolysaccharide. Peptidoglycan is also called as mucopeptide. It is a polymer that is made up of sugars and amino acids. 

Gram staining procedure is based on the principle of the ability of microorganisms to retain color of the stains used during the gram staining process. Gram-positive bacteria retain purple color after staining with crystal violet stain. They are not decolorized by treatment with alcohol. Gram-negative bacteria also get stained with crystal violet stain. However, they are decolorized by the alcohol and lose purple color. When again stained with the second stain safranin, they retain pink color. This major difference is due to the difference in the cell wall component of both the bacteria. 

Both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria have a peptidoglycan layer in the cell wall. It is also called as mucopeptide or murein. However, Gram positive bacteria have thick layer of peptidoglycan. Hence, mucopeptide is abundant in the cell wall of gram positive bacteria. Gram negative bacteria have thin layer of mucopeptide. Apart from this, Gram negative bacteria have outer wall made up of lipopolysaccharide.