Stains Flashcards
what do the simple stains use to color organisms?
chromogen ( colored molecule)
List the stains we are responsible for
Simple stains Negative stains gram stain capsule stain acid fast stain Endospore stain
what are the parts of the chromogen in simple stains?
Chromophore
auxochrome
what is the chromophore in simple stains?
portion of chromogen that gives it color
what is the auxochrome in simple stains?
charged portion of the chromogen
how does the chromogen work to stain a cell?
the auxochrome is attracted to the negative charge of the bacteria and the organism becomes stained
simple stains are also considered what?
basic stains
what are some simple stain dye example?
methylene blue
crystal violet
safranin
what are the steps of a simple stain?
1) begin with heat fixed emulsion
2) cover with stain for the specified time
3) rinse with water
4) blot dry
What is the negative stain used for?
to determine the morphology and cellular arrangement in bacteria that are too sensitive to be heat fixed
what kind of charge does the chromogen in negative stain carry?
a negative charge (the chromogen is acidic)
what is a benefit of a negative stain?
produces minimal cell shrinkage
what stains are used in the negative stain?
nigrosin stain
eosin stain
what are the step of the negative stain
1) place a drop of acid stain on the end of the slide
2) add organisms to the drop of stain
3) using another clean slide smear the liquid across the slide
4) do not heat fix! just let dry
what is the purpose of the gram staim?
it is a differential stain between gram + and gram -
what are the properties of a gram - organism
- high lipid content
- low peptidoglycan
- stains red
what are the properties of the gram + stain?
- low lipid concentration
- high amount of peptidoglycan
- stains purple
how does a gram - react to the gram stain
the decolorizer exracts lipid so that the cell is more porous and cannot hold the stain
how do gram + organisms react to the gram stain?
the peptidoglycan holds onto the stain better and resists decolorization
what are the reagents used in the gram stain?
crystal violet (primary stain)
iodine (mordant)
ethanol/acetone (decolorization agent)
safranin (counterstain)