Module 2 microbiology Flashcards
Conversions
Mega (10^6), Kilo(10^3), Hecto(10^2), Deca(10^1), base, Deci(10^-1), Centi (10^-2), Milli(10^-3), Micro(10^-6), Nano(10^-9), Angstorm(10^-10)
What are the two major methods used in microbiology used for examining microorganisms?
Direct examination technique and staining technique
List two advantages of examining microorganisms using the wet mount technique?
It’s a fast method and living microorganisms can be examined
What is the one disadvantage of examining a microorganism using the wet mount technique?
This form of examination is not suitable for long periods of time.
List the three classifications of stains.
Basic, acidic, neutral
There are two factors that control what stain a microbial cell will absorb, what are these
factors?
The chemical makeup of the microbial cell and the pH of the surrounding environment
If a cell contains mostly acidic components, of the three classifications of stains, which will the cell most likely attract?
The Basic Stains
Basic Stains have _____________ charged ions
Basic stains have positively charged ions.
Acidic stains have ___________ charged ions.
Acidic stains have negatively charged ions.
Provide four examples of basic stains
Methylene blue
Basic fuchsin
Iodine
Crystal violet
Safranin
Acid stains behave differently than basic stains, explain the behavioral difference?
Acid stains are generally repelled by bacteria, dye does not color the cell but the background
Provide four examples of acidic stains
Nigrosin
Malachite green
Acid fuchsin
India ink
List three examples of neutral stains
Giemsa
Wright
Leishman
Why is it so important to understand the staining process in microbiology?
Because the staining properties of bacteria aid in the identification process
List five steps taken when preparing a bacterial smear?
- Two loops of water on slide
- Add a loop of the bacteria
- Spread and swirl it out on the slide
- Allow to air dry
- Fix bacteria to slide by passing through flame
List the five main types of staining that take place in microbiology?
- Simple staining
- Differential staining
- Staining of microbial structures
- Negative staining
- Staining with fluorochrome dyes for fluorescence microscopy
Place the letter of the staining process employed in front of the clue provided.
Staining Process
a) Simple Staining
b) Differential Staining
c) Staining of microbial structures
d) Negative Staining
e) Fluorochrome Staining
Clue Staining Process
B 1. Uses a combination of multiple stains
A 2. Used to look at general morphology of the
cell
D 3. Used to look at the capsule of a cell. structures
D 4. Because cells are generally negatively
charged or in a neutral environment, this
stain works best.
A 5. Uses only one dye
B 6. Uses a counterstain
B 7. Used on cells with high lipid components
A 8. All cells are of the preparation are one color
E 9. Requires UV light
C 10. Stain process requires both basic fuchsin
and a mordant.
B 11. The acid fast stain is an example
E 12. requires a counterstain of potassium
permanganate
C 13. Sometimes requires heat, e.g. Spore stain
D 14. Nigrosin or India Ink
E 15. Rapid screening is possible with this
staining process