The Gram-positive bacteria appear in which color under gram staining?

Correct answer: A. Purple

  • A. Purple
  • B. Red
  • C. Pink
  • D. Blue

Explanation

Gram-positive bacteria appear purple under Gram staining because they retain the crystal violet stain due to their thick peptidoglycan layer, which forms a stable crystal violet-iodine complex. During the decolorization step, this complex is not washed out, allowing the bacteria to retain the purple color. In contrast, Gram-negative bacteria have a thinner peptidoglycan layer and a higher lipid content in their cell walls, causing them to lose the crystal violet-iodine complex during the decolorization step and subsequently take up the red or pink safranin counterstain. Therefore, Gram-negative bacteria appear red or pink, not purple.

Written and checked by , contributorLast updated
Report an error

The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.

Prefer email? support@testustad.com

About Kingdom Prokaryotae

Kingdom Prokaryotae includes bacteria and cyanobacteria, organisms with no membrane-bound nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. It covers their cell wall, capsule, flagella, plasmids, forms of nutrition, binary fission, useful and harmful roles, and the differences between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.

Practise Biodiversity and Variety of Life

3,130 free Biodiversity and Variety of Life MCQs from Biology, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Discussion

Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.

No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.

Exams that ask Biology questions like this

Biology is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

More Kingdom Prokaryotae questions