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Is mycolic acid found in gram positive and gram negative cell wall composition?
Mycolic acid is primarily found in the cell walls of mycobacteria, which are a type of bacteria that include the causative agents of tuberculosis and leprosy. It is not typically found in the cell walls of other bacteria, including those classified as gram-positive or gram-negative.
What makes Mycobacterium resistant to staining?
It has a peptidoglycan layer filled with mycolic acids. The acids make the cell wall waxy and impenetrable to stains. They are classified with gram positive cells because of cell wall thickness and genetic similarities.
Is the mycobacterium smegmatis positive to acid-fast?
Yes, Mycobacterium smegmatis is positive for acid-fast staining due to its thick, waxy cell wall. This characteristic allows it to resist decolorization by acid-alcohol during the staining process, leading to retention of the primary stain (carbol fuchsin) and appearing pink or red under a microscope.
What is a bacterial genus that has waxy mycolic acid in the cell walls?
Mycobacterium is a bacterial genus that has waxy mycolic acid in the cell walls. This acid helps make the cell walls impermeable to many substances, contributing to the resistance of the bacterial cells.
What is the purpose of the heat during the acid fast staining procedure?
The heat is used to drive the primary stain, carbol fuchsin, into the waxy cell wall of acid-fast bacteria. This allows the stain to penetrate the mycolic acid in the cell wall, making the bacteria resistant to decolorization with acid-alcohol.
Does nocardia have mycolic acid?
Yes, Nocardia does have mycolic acid in its cell wall. Mycolic acid is a characteristic component of the cell wall in members of the genus Nocardia, which are classified as acid-fast bacteria due to their resistance to acid-fast staining procedures.
Is mycolic acid found in gram positive and gram negative cell wall composition?
Mycolic acid is primarily found in the cell walls of mycobacteria, which are a type of bacteria that include the causative agents of tuberculosis and leprosy. It is not typically found in the cell walls of other bacteria, including those classified as gram-positive or gram-negative.
What chemical is responsible for the acid fast property of mycobacteria?
the cell wall contains mycolic acid. a dye (carbol fuchsin) is applied to the culture, then washed with acid-alcohol. those cells with mycolic acid in their cell wall will retain the dye even after the alcohol rinse. but those cells without mycolic acid will release the dye.
What type of lipid can keep a microorganism from drying out?
Mycolic acid helps these cells survive desiccation and makes them difficult to stain. Organisms with mycolic acid are acid fast.
What makes Mycobacterium resistant to staining?
It has a peptidoglycan layer filled with mycolic acids. The acids make the cell wall waxy and impenetrable to stains. They are classified with gram positive cells because of cell wall thickness and genetic similarities.
Is the mycobacterium smegmatis positive to acid-fast?
Yes, Mycobacterium smegmatis is positive for acid-fast staining due to its thick, waxy cell wall. This characteristic allows it to resist decolorization by acid-alcohol during the staining process, leading to retention of the primary stain (carbol fuchsin) and appearing pink or red under a microscope.
What is a bacterial genus that has waxy mycolic acid in the cell walls?
Mycobacterium is a bacterial genus that has waxy mycolic acid in the cell walls. This acid helps make the cell walls impermeable to many substances, contributing to the resistance of the bacterial cells.
What lipid is responsible for the acid fastness of acid fast organisms?
Mycolic acid is the lipid responsible for the acid-fastness of acid-fast organisms. It is a wax-like lipid found in the cell wall of bacteria such as Mycobacterium and Nocardia, contributing to their resistance to acid-fast staining techniques.
Is fehling test positive for gluconic acid?
No. Fehling's test is positive for glucose which forms gluconic acid as the product.
What is the purpose of the heat during the acid fast staining procedure?
The heat is used to drive the primary stain, carbol fuchsin, into the waxy cell wall of acid-fast bacteria. This allows the stain to penetrate the mycolic acid in the cell wall, making the bacteria resistant to decolorization with acid-alcohol.
What drugs specifically targets cell walls that contain arabinogalactan-mycolic acid?
Drugs such as isoniazid and ethambutol specifically target cell walls containing arabinogalactan-mycolic acid in mycobacteria by inhibiting enzymes involved in cell wall synthesis. These drugs are commonly used in the treatment of tuberculosis.
Which group of microorganism is liable to stain positive with an acid fast stain and why?
Mycobacterium and Nocardia species are liable to stain positive with an acid-fast stain due to the high lipid content in their cell walls, specifically mycolic acids. This makes them resistant to decolorization with acid-alcohol during staining procedures, allowing them to retain the primary stain (carbolfuchsin) and appear red or pink under a microscope.
