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3
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- The difference in dye retention is dependent on such physical properties
as thickness, density, porosity, and integrity of the bacterial cell
wall, as well as, to some extent, the chemical composition.
- Gram-Positive bacteria have thick, dense, relatively non-porous walls,
while Gram-Negative bacteria have thin walls surrounded by lipid-rich
membranes. See the Bacterial
Morphology and Staining presentation for details.
- Some non-bacterial organisms with thick cell walls (e.g., some yeasts)
also stain Gram-Positive.
- Gram-Positive bacteria which have lost wall integrity through aging or
physical or chemical damage may stain Gram-Negative.
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Notes
