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Multiple Choice
In the context of organic chemistry reactions, what happens to the gram-negative cell wall during the decolorization step of the Gram staining process?
A
The cell wall becomes more permeable to iodine.
B
The cell wall loses the crystal violet stain.
C
The cell wall becomes thicker.
D
The cell wall retains the crystal violet stain.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the Gram staining process: Gram staining is a method used to differentiate bacterial species into two groups based on the properties of their cell walls. The two groups are Gram-positive and Gram-negative.
Recognize the structure of Gram-negative cell walls: Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane, which is different from the thicker peptidoglycan layer found in Gram-positive bacteria.
Identify the role of the decolorization step: During the Gram staining process, the decolorization step involves washing the cells with alcohol or acetone, which affects the cell wall's ability to retain the crystal violet stain.
Analyze the effect on Gram-negative bacteria: The alcohol or acetone dissolves the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and increases the permeability of the thin peptidoglycan layer, causing the crystal violet-iodine complex to be washed out.
Conclude the outcome: As a result, Gram-negative bacteria lose the crystal violet stain during the decolorization step, which is why they do not retain the purple color and instead take up the counterstain (usually safranin), appearing pink under a microscope.