Simple staining and Gram staining - Lab Report Example

Microbiology is a branch of biology which is considered vital in bringing a profound understanding of microorganisms and how they effect and react on other living organisms. Microbes are tiny organisms that can only be seen with an aid of a microscope. The tiny nature of microbes has revolutionized the use of stains to aid in having a vivid and transparent picture of microbes under microscope (Ryu 60). Because the bacterial cell is transparent, motile and difficult to see when using microscope, cells are stained to make them more visible.

Staining tends to provide a reliable and clear means for observing bacteria’s morphology, relative size, and cellular arrangement. Gram staining and simple staining are the ultimate procedures that were used. 1. Place a loopful of culture into a test tube consisting of sterile distilled water so as to make a suspension of bacterial cells on the water. Place that bacterial suspension on a clear or clean slide. This will give room for the bacteria to air dry. 2. Heat fixing the bacteria cells by passing the slide quickly over the flame (Bunsen burner) three or four times, ensuring that the glass surface is exposed to the flame.

Ensure that the slide is not so hot to be uncomfortable when touch. Simple stains allow us to distinguish the ultimate shape (morphology) of the mounted bacteria. Bacillus Subtillus and E. coli turned out to be rod-shaped. Many bacilli tend to occur singularly, but in some cases, chains are also observed. Bacilli are greatly in diameter and length. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus are spherical (cocci). They may culminate singularly, in clusters such as Staphylococcus aureus or others in pairs such as Streptococcus pneumonia. R. rubrum was observed to be a curved bacterium (spirillum).

It culminates singularly. The bacteria that stains blue is considered to be a Gram-positive while the bacteria that stains pink is considered to be Gram negative.