Q&A for How to Gram Stain

Crystal violet is used because its has a positively charged group that will combine with the negatively charged molecule of the bacteria cell and stain the cell purple.

A visible pink color indicates that the bacteria cell is Gram negative bacteria.

If too much stain has been added and it has not yet set, you should try to wash as much of it off while also being careful not to damage the sample. This can be quite difficult to achieve and thus it could always be re-done for optimal results.

By this, we can differentiate between the gram positive and gram negative bacteria.There are separate medications for gram positive and gram negative. We are in a much better position to treat the infection when we know whether it is gram positive or gram negative.

Gram positive. It's combination with clavulonic acid CoAmoxiclav is broad spectrum and covers the gram negative too.

Gram stain stains specific molecules in the cell wall of bacteria. Gram positive bacteria stain purple, gram negative stain pink. Since human cells lack a cell wall, there is nothing to retain the purple stain. When the counter-stain safranin is applied, the cells will be light pink.

Different dyes have different charges and can be attracted to different parts of cells accordingly.

You wouldn't see the slide as well. Oil immersion assists with a better view of the cells on the slides.