Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology (12th Edition) (What's New in Microbiology)
Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology (12th Edition) (What's New in Microbiology)
12th Edition
ISBN: 9780134605203
Author: Ted R. Johnson, Christine L. Case
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 9, Problem 1Q

What are the Gram reactions of Clostridium and Bacillus?

What genus has swollen endospores?

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Summary Introduction

To determine:

The gram reactions of Clostridium and Bacillus.

The genus with swollen endospores.

Introduction:

Gram stain is a staining method that helps in the differentiation of gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive bacteria, by determining the physical and chemical properties of their cell wall. Crystal violet stain is used in this test. Gram positive bacteria has a high affinity for crystal violet when gram's iodine is applied to it. in this test, the decolorizing agent used is acetone or ethyl alcohol. Acetone gets dissolved in the lipids of the cell wall of the gram-negative bacteria, which leads to the leaking out of the crystal-violet complex from the thinner peptidoglycan layer.

Explanation of Solution

When the bacterial cells are in a dormant state, then they form endospores. In dormancy, cells do not undergo metabolism and are said to be in the resting phase. Endospores are formed by bacteria, when they face changed or harsh environment, like, less availability of water, nutrients, and growth temperature.

Clostridium is a gram-positive bacterium and causes botulism in humans. It is an anaerobic bacterium with two forms, endospore form and vegetative form. Clostridium microbe is at rest until it is in a stable and improved environment. Generally, in harsh climates, clostridium survives due to the presence of endospores.

Bacillus is a gram-positive bacterium that is rod-shaped. Generally, bacillus is not harmful to humans. But the most common disease caused by bacillus to humans is anthrax. Moreover, bacillus contains swollen endospores as compared to clostridium.

Conclusion

The gram reactions of Clostridium and Bacillus are gram-positive.

The genus with swollen endospores is bacillus.

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