Can someone please explain to me the difference between gram-positive & gram-negative bacteria. What are they, what do they do? EXPLAIN
I know that you can tell them apart by the method called gram staining. The gram consists of two dyes one violet which is the primary one and the red one which is the counterstain.
AND also what does distinguish mean? is it similar to describe?
Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria are two broad categories of bacteria that are differentiated based on their response to a staining technique called Gram staining. To understand the difference between these two types, let's start with a brief explanation of Gram staining.
Gram staining is a process that involves using different dyes to color bacterial cells. It was developed by a Danish scientist named Hans Christian Gram in the late 19th century. The primary purpose of Gram staining is to classify bacteria into two major groups based on their cell wall structure.
Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls, which is a complex mesh-like structure composed of sugars and amino acids. This thick layer retains the violet dye, giving the bacteria a purple color. Gram-positive bacteria typically appear as purple under a microscope.
Gram-negative bacteria, on the other hand, have a thinner layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls, surrounded by an outer membrane composed of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). This outer membrane acts as a barrier and prevents the violet dye from reaching the peptidoglycan layer. Instead, the red counterstain is retained by their cell walls, giving them a red or pink color when observed under a microscope.
In terms of their characteristics and behavior, gram-positive bacteria tend to be more susceptible to antibiotics that target the cell wall, such as penicillin. They are generally more resistant to environmental stressors and desiccation (drying out) due to the thickness of their cell walls. Examples of gram-positive bacteria include species like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, which can be both harmless and pathogenic.
Gram-negative bacteria, on the other hand, have a higher resistance to antibiotics due to their complex cell wall structure. They also possess a higher capacity for genetic exchange, making them more adaptable to changing environments. Many gram-negative bacteria are associated with infections and diseases, including E. coli and Salmonella.
To summarize, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria are differentiated based on the structure of their cell walls, as revealed by the Gram staining method. This distinction is significant because it influences their response to antibiotics, susceptibility to environmental stress, and their pathogenicity.
Regarding your second question, "distinguish" and "describe" are related but have slightly different meanings. "Describe" generally refers to providing details and explanations about the characteristics, qualities, or events of something or someone. On the other hand, "distinguish" means to recognize or identify the differences or unique features that set apart one thing from another. So while "describe" focuses on giving an overall account, "distinguish" emphasizes highlighting specific differences or unique qualities.