Differential staining

Definition

Differential staining is a technique used in microbiology to distinguish between different types of microorganisms or cellular components. It involves using multiple stains that react differently with various cell structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Gram stain is the most common type of differential staining, distinguishing between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
2. Acid-fast staining is a type of differential staining used specifically to identify Mycobacterium species.
3. Differential stains can reveal structural features such as cell walls, capsules, and endospores.
4. Differential staining often involves a primary stain, a decolorizing agent, and a counterstain to achieve contrasting colors.
5. The results of differential staining are critical for microbial identification and subsequent treatment decisions in clinical settings.

Review Questions

• What are the main differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as revealed by Gram staining?
• Explain the purpose of using a decolorizing agent in differential staining.
• Which type of differential stain would you use to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis?

Related terms

Gram Stain:

A method of differential staining that classifies bacteria into Gram-positive or Gram-negative based on their cell wall structure.

Acid-Fast Stain:

A differential stain used to identify acid-fast organisms like Mycobacterium species.

Simple Staining:

A technique involving a single dye to color all cells uniformly, for basic visualization under a microscope.