Medical Technology Licensure Examination (MTLE) Practice Exam

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What color does crystal violet dye impart to bacteria during gram staining?

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Purple

Crystal violet dye is the primary stain used in the Gram staining technique, which classifies bacteria into two groups: Gram-positive and Gram-negative. When crystal violet is applied to bacteria, it penetrates the cell walls and cytoplasmic membranes. Gram-positive bacteria, which have a thicker peptidoglycan layer, retain the crystal violet dye after a subsequent washing step, leading to a strong purple coloration. This distinct purple hue is crucial for the identification and classification of bacteria during microbiological analysis. Conversely, Gram-negative bacteria do not retain the crystal violet after the washing step and are typically stained with a secondary dye, such as safranin, which imparts a red color to them. Thus, the color that crystal violet dye imparts during the gram staining process is purple, specifically for Gram-positive bacteria.

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