gramvärjäysominaisuudet

Gramvärjäysomi is a laboratory technique used to differentiate bacterial species into two large groups based on their cell wall composition: Gram-positive and Gram-negative. The process involves staining a sample of bacteria with crystal violet dye, followed by the addition of iodine, which acts as a mordant. The cells are then decolorized with a solvent, typically alcohol or acetone. Gram-positive bacteria, having a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell walls, retain the crystal violet-iodine complex and appear purple or blue under a microscope. In contrast, Gram-negative bacteria, possessing a thinner peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane, lose the crystal violet-iodine complex during decolorization and are subsequently counterstained with a contrasting dye, usually safranin, appearing pink or red. This differential staining method is a fundamental diagnostic tool in microbiology, aiding in the rapid identification and classification of bacteria, which in turn informs the selection of appropriate antibiotic treatments. The reliability of Gramvärjäysomi depends on factors such as the age of the bacterial culture, the thickness of the smear, and the precise execution of the decolorization step.