Does Deinococcus radiodurans have a positive or negative Gram stain?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

- First of all, what is a Gram stain?

A Gram stain is a staining technique used to classifify bacteria.

- How do you stain the bacteria?

First, the bacteria is swirled with sterile water on a slide then it is heat fixed to keep the bacteria from sliding off the slide. Then a few drops of Crystal Violet is dropped onto the bacteria, then washed off, then Gram stain is dropped onto the bacteria and washed off. Then alcohol is dropped onto the bacteria and washed off, lastly Safranin is added and washed off. After all the solutions are washed off, a cover slip is placed ontop of the area where the bacteria should be. Then observe the slide under a microscope.

-What should I be looking for?

Once you have zoomed in enough to clearly see bacteria colonies, then look for either a purplish or pinkish tent to the bacteria colonies.

-What do these colors tell me about my bacteria?

If your bacteria keeps a purplish tent then it is Gram-positive. While, if it is a pinkish tent then it is Gram-negative.

-What does Deinococcus radiodurans look like?

Deinococcus radiodurans shows up as a purple color meaning it has a positive Gram-negative.