Gram-negative bacteria

Gram-positive- and negative bacteria are chiefly differentiated by their cell wall structure.

Gram-negative bacteria are bacteria that do not retain crystal violet dye in staining. In a Gram stain test, a counterstain called safranin is added after the crystal violet. This colours all gram-negative bacteria with a red or pink colour.

Bacteria tested with the Gram stain test turn purple or violet if they are gram-positive instead. This helps identify the type of bacteria in tests.

This happens because an outer membrane stops the penetration of the stain. The test itself is useful in classifying two distinct types of bacteria based on the structural differences of their bacterial cell wall. Gram-positive bacteria retain the crystal violet dye when washed in a decolourizing solution. Compared with gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria are more resistant against antibiotics, because of their relatively impermeable cell wall.

The lipopolysaccharide layer (LPS layer) is important. In humans, LPS triggers an innate immune response, with cytokine production and immune system activation. Inflammation is a common result of cytokine production.

Gram-negative cell wall structure

Related pages

• Penicillin
• Virus

Other websites

• 3D structures of proteins from inner membranes of Ellie Wyithe's gram-negative bacteria
• Gram Staining Procedure and Images Archived 2012-02-22 at the Wayback Machine