Table of contents

1. Introduction to Microbiology3h 22m
2. Disproving Spontaneous Generation1h 18m
3. Chemical Principles of Microbiology3h 38m
4. Water1h 28m
5. Molecules of Microbiology2h 23m
6. Cell Membrane & Transport3h 28m
7. Prokaryotic Cell Structures & Functions5h 52m
8. Eukaryotic Cell Structures & Functions2h 18m
9. Microscopes2h 46m
10. Dynamics of Microbial Growth4h 36m
11. Controlling Microbial Growth4h 10m
12. Microbial Metabolism5h 16m
13. Photosynthesis2h 31m
14. DNA Replication2h 25m
15. Central Dogma & Gene Regulation7h 14m
16. Microbial Genetics4h 44m
17. Biotechnology3h 0m
18. Viruses, Viroids, & Prions4h 56m
19. Innate Immunity7h 15m
20. Adaptive Immunity7h 14m
21. Principles of Disease6h 57m

9. Microscopes

Differential Staining

Microbiology

9. Microscopes

Differential Staining

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Multiple Choice

A scientist has a sample containing a variety of different bacteria species. She wishes to identify which bacteria in her sample are of the genus Mycobacterium. Mycobacterium have a wax-like, nearly impermeable cell wall which contains mycolic acid. Which type of staining technique should the scientist use to identify the Mycobacterium?

Basic staining.

Gram-staining.

Mycolic staining.

Acid-fast staining.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the unique characteristics of Mycobacterium: They have a waxy, nearly impermeable cell wall due to the presence of mycolic acid.

Recognize that traditional staining methods like basic staining and Gram-staining are not effective for Mycobacterium due to their unique cell wall properties.

Learn about the Acid-fast staining technique, which is specifically designed to penetrate the waxy cell walls of Mycobacterium.

The Acid-fast staining technique uses a primary stain (such as carbol fuchsin) that is retained by the mycolic acid in the cell walls, even after decolorization with an acid-alcohol solution.

Conclude that the Acid-fast staining method is the appropriate choice for identifying Mycobacterium in a mixed bacterial sample due to its ability to highlight the presence of mycolic acid in the cell walls.