Gram positive

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Gram positive

Gram positive (pronounced /ɡræm ˈpɒzɪtɪv/) refers to a group of bacteria that give a positive result in the Gram stain test, which is traditionally used to quickly classify bacteria into two broad categories.

Etymology

The term "Gram positive" is named after the Danish bacteriologist Hans Christian Gram, who developed the Gram stain. Gram originally devised his staining technique in 1884 to make bacteria more visible in stained sections of lung tissue.

Characteristics

Gram positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer that retains the violet crystal stain. They lack the outer membrane found in Gram negative bacteria. This characteristic is crucial in determining the type of antibiotic that may be used for treatment, as some antibiotics are designed to target the outer membrane of the bacteria.

Examples

Examples of Gram positive bacteria include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Bacillus species. These bacteria are responsible for diseases such as strep throat, pneumonia, and food poisoning.

Related terms

  • Gram negative: Bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining method of bacterial differentiation.
  • Gram stain: A staining technique for the preliminary identification of bacteria, based on the chemical and physical properties of their cell walls.
  • Peptidoglycan: A polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like layer outside the plasma membrane of most bacteria, forming the cell wall.

External links

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