Gram

Gram Staining
Staining

Submitted by: Dolindo, Ma. Keena P.

BSN 1-YB-1

1. Tabulate the reagents and functions used in Gram Staining.

Reagents Functions
1. Crystal Violet Stains both Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria purple
by binding to negatively charged cell wall
structures. The CV molecules are positively
charged and bind to negatively charged bacterial
cell wall structures.
2. Iodine A dye fixer (mordant). This fixes the stain via
electrostatic forces, forming a large, insoluble
Crystal Violet – Iodine complex (CV-I complex)
3. 95% Ethyl Alcohol Decolorizes Gram (-) bacteria but not Gram (+)
 due to the thicker peptidoglycan layer.
4. Safranin Counterstain the pink Gram (-) bacteria, while
Gram (+) bacteria remain purple. Like crystal
violet, it is a positively charged molecule that
binds to negative bacterial cell wall structures.
2. What is the purpose of Gram staining?

 Gram staining can be used to determine whether you have a bacterial infection. Which will
exhibit either Gram (+) or Gram (-) stains, which are two different kinds of gram staining. Gram
(+) bacteria are those that maintain their original color of purple or blue, while Gram (-) bacteria
change their color to red or pink. Moreover, this can be employed to identify a fungal infection.

3. Draw the Morphologic structures and arrangement of bacteria.

 Gram positive cocci

 Gram negative cocci

 Gram positive bacilli

 Gram negative bacilli