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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.
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.
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.
What chemical is found in the cell wall of acid fast organisms that is not found in non acid fast?
The chemical found in the cell wall of acid-fast organisms, such as Mycobacterium species, is mycolic acid. Mycolic acids are long-chain fatty acids that contribute to the waxy, hydrophobic nature of the cell wall, making it resistant to staining and protecting the bacteria from environmental stresses. In contrast, non-acid-fast organisms typically lack this complex lipid structure, resulting in a different cell wall composition. This unique feature is what allows acid-fast bacteria to retain certain stains, such as the Ziehl-Neelsen stain.
What are results for a acid-fast test for enterobacter aerogenes?
Enterobacter aerogenes is a gram-negative bacterium and typically does not retain acid-fast stains due to its cell wall structure. Therefore, a positive result on an acid-fast test would be unlikely for Enterobacter aerogenes.
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.
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.
The difference in cell wall structure of Mycobacterium and Nocardia compared to the typical gram positive bacterial cell wall structure is?
Mycobacterium and Nocardia have unique cell walls containing mycolic acids, which are hydrophobic and contribute to their acid-fast staining property. This gives them resistance to harsh conditions such as antibiotics and disinfectants and enables them to survive in the host. Gram-positive bacteria have a peptidoglycan layer that is significantly thicker compared to Mycobacterium and Nocardia, providing structural support and protection.
What is gram positive filamentous forms with mycolic acid in their cell wall?
It is most likely an actinomycete, a type of bacteria known for being filamentous with mycolic acid in their cell wall. Mycolic acid is a characteristic feature of the cell wall of certain bacteria, such as those in the mycobacteria group, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can you provide some examples of acid-fast bacilli?
Some examples of acid-fast bacilli include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae, and Nocardia species.
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.
Aside from the genus Mycobacterium name other groups of microorganisms which are considered as acid-fast or partially acid-fast?
NocardioformsNocardioforms include nine genera of aerobic, acid-fast rods, including members of the genus Nocardia. Nocardioforms have aerial hyphae which project above the surface of their growth medium as branching filaments. The hyphae fragment into rods and cocci. Nocardioforms are found throughout nature in many types of soil and aquatic environments. One species, N. asteroides, causes infection of the human lung.
