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The iodine in the gram stain serves as a mordant or fixative.

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Why do you use iodine to stain a cell?

Iodine is used to stain cells because it binds to glycogen and starch, making them more visible under a microscope. This helps to visualize the cellular structures and identify specific components within the cell.


What color is gram negative stain and gram positive stain if you forget to apply iodine?

If iodine is not applied, both the gram-positive and gram-negative stains will appear to be gram-negative. The iodine acts as a mordant that helps to fix the crystal violet stain in the gram-positive bacteria, making them appear purple. Without iodine, the crystal violet stain can be easily washed out of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, resulting in a pink or red color.


What has the author Thomas Francis McNamara written?

Thomas Francis McNamara has written: 'Iodine and the quantitative gram reaction' -- subject(s): Iodine, Stains and staining (Microscopy)


What is the secondary stain in gram stain procedure?

It is crystal violet & stains all cells purple.


Diff between gram's iodine and iodine?

iodine& grams iodine Gram's iodine is a solution of 2% iodine and 3% potassium iodide in 70% ethanol. Gram's iodine is also used as a forensic toxicology reagent for the detection of alkaloids, as a source of iodine for iodometric titrations, as an indicator for the presence of starch, and as a general laboratory source of iodine/iodide. This solution is laboratory grade, and not for medicinal use. Iodine is non metallic,dark gray,lustrous,solid element


What color will gram positive cells become if you fail to use iodine?

Gram positive cells will appear pink if iodine is not used in the Gram staining process. This is because without iodine, the crystal violet stain is not retained by the thick peptidoglycan layer of the cell wall in Gram positive bacteria.


What is crystal violet iodine complex?

Crystal violet iodine complex is a chemical compound formed when crystal violet dye interacts with iodine. This complex is commonly used in microbiology as a stain for bacterial cells, allowing them to be visualized under a microscope. The crystal violet iodine complex binds to the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls, imparting a purple color to the cells.


Why use gram iodine in stool examination?

Gram iodine serves as a mordant in stool examination to enhance the visualization of bacterial structures. It helps bind the crystal violet stain to the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls, making them more easily distinguishable under the microscope. This aids in identifying and characterizing different bacteria present in the stool sample.


What is the liquid that will remove iodine stains?

Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used as a liquid to remove iodine stains from surfaces. It can help break down the iodine molecules and lift the stain from the material.


Does iodine have starch?

NoIodine Stains starch.


Is pneumonia gram positive or gram negative?

Neither - the influenza VIRUS is not typed by gram stains - only bacteria are.


Why is rice brown in colour when iodine solution is put on it?

cause iodine(brown) stains the rice