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If the iodine in the Gram's stain was omitted, the crystal violet which enters the cell will not be able to form the Crystal Violet Iodine (CVI) complex. The CVI complex molecule has a larger size than that of Crystal violet molecule and hence Gram +ve bacteria are able to retain the stain. If iodine were omitted, even Gram+ve cells would get decolorised by Alcohol treatment and would be seen as Gram-ve cells.

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Why is Iodine used in Gram staining?

Iodine is used in Gram staining as a mordant, which helps to bind the crystal violet dye to the cell wall of bacteria. This mordant-iodine complex forms larger complexes with the crystal violet dye, making it difficult for the dye to be washed away during the decolorization step. This allows for differentiation of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria based on their ability to retain the crystal violet dye.


What are the reagents and steps min a Gram stain?

The steps in Gram staining are:1. crystal violet added to the smear2. iodine, the mordant (this fixes the violet)3. a decolorizer made of acetone and alcohol4. safranin, the counterstainIf the cell is Gram +, the decolorizer can not remove the violet. If it is Gram -, the decolorizer can remove the violet and the cell can be then colored with the dye, safranin.Bacteria are grouped in 4 groups by Gram stain:Gram-positive, the cell wall retains crystal Violet.Gram-negative, the cell wall does not retain crystal Violet.Graham not reactive, no staining whatsoever.Graham variable, uneven staining.


What can be used for a simple stain procedure?

Perhaps Gram Staining? Steps are as follows: 1. Crystal Violet, 2. Iodine, 3. Decolorizer, 4. Safrinin


What is the function of iodine solution in the gram stain?

It allows the primary stain crystal violet to remain in the cell instead of being washed out. Due to the larger size of the crystal violet molecule, when the ethanol is applied (the decolorizer) the stain will not be washed out of the Gram (+) positive cells.


Why use iodine in plant cells staining?

Iodine is used in plant cell staining to highlight the presence of starch. Iodine forms a complex with starch molecules, turning them blue or black, making them easily visible under a microscope. This staining method is commonly used to identify starch storage sites within plant cells.

Related Questions

Why is Iodine used in Gram staining?

Iodine is used in Gram staining as a mordant, which helps to bind the crystal violet dye to the cell wall of bacteria. This mordant-iodine complex forms larger complexes with the crystal violet dye, making it difficult for the dye to be washed away during the decolorization step. This allows for differentiation of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria based on their ability to retain the crystal violet dye.


Is iodine a basic stain?

No, iodine is not a basic stain. Iodine is commonly used in Gram staining to identify bacteria as either Gram-positive or Gram-negative based on their cell wall composition. It acts as a mordant in the staining process and helps to fix the crystal violet stain in Gram staining.


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.


Function of Gram's iodine?

Iodine is used as a mordant in the gram staining procedure to make large crystals when it is used with crystal violet dye. In gram positive cell walls those crystals get stuck and wont get washed off with the alcohol. In gram negative cell walls the crystals are washed out.


What function of lugol's iodine in gram staining?

fixing the stain so that the first dye which is the crystal violet will not be washed away during rinse process.


Why is heat required to melt an iodine crystal?

Heat is required to melt an iodine crystal because melting involves breaking the forces of attraction between iodine molecules in the crystal structure. When heat is applied, it adds energy to the crystal, allowing the molecules to overcome these forces and transition from a solid to a liquid state.


What are the reagents and steps min a Gram stain?

The steps in Gram staining are:1. crystal violet added to the smear2. iodine, the mordant (this fixes the violet)3. a decolorizer made of acetone and alcohol4. safranin, the counterstainIf the cell is Gram +, the decolorizer can not remove the violet. If it is Gram -, the decolorizer can remove the violet and the cell can be then colored with the dye, safranin.Bacteria are grouped in 4 groups by Gram stain:Gram-positive, the cell wall retains crystal Violet.Gram-negative, the cell wall does not retain crystal Violet.Graham not reactive, no staining whatsoever.Graham variable, uneven staining.


Why did Alice have big brown blotches from iodine?

Alice likely had big brown blotches from iodine because iodine can stain the skin when applied. This staining is a common side effect of using iodine for disinfection or medical procedures, and the brown blotches should fade over time as the skin naturally sheds and regenerates.


What happens when you add iodine crystal and chloroform?

iodine is soluble in CHCl3. Liquid become purple in color.


What is the use of Iodine in gram stains?

Iodine is used in Gram staining to form a complex with crystal violet, which helps to trap the dye within the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. This step is important in differentiating between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria based on their ability to retain the crystal violet dye.


What can be used for a simple stain procedure?

Perhaps Gram Staining? Steps are as follows: 1. Crystal Violet, 2. Iodine, 3. Decolorizer, 4. Safrinin


Why iodine oinment called non-staining?

Iodine ointment is called non-staining because it does not leave a permanent mark or discoloration on surfaces or fabrics it comes into contact with. This makes it easier to use without worrying about staining clothes or other items.