Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology (11th Edition)
Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN: 9780321994936
Author: Ted R. Johnson, Christine L. Case
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 9, Problem 1Q

What are the Gram reactions of Clostridium and Bacillus?

What genus has swollen endospores?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To determine:

The gram reactions of Clostridium and Bacillus.

The genus with swollen endospores.

Introduction:

Gram stain is a staining method that helps in the differentiation of gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive bacteria, by determining the physical and chemical properties of their cell wall. Crystal violet stain is used in this test. Gram positive bacteria has a high affinity for crystal violet when gram's iodine is applied to it. in this test, the decolorizing agent used is acetone or ethyl alcohol. Acetone gets dissolved in the lipids of the cell wall of the gram-negative bacteria, which leads to the leaking out of the crystal-violet complex from the thinner peptidoglycan layer.

Explanation of Solution

When the bacterial cells are in a dormant state, then they form endospores. In dormancy, cells do not undergo metabolism and are said to be in the resting phase. Endospores are formed by bacteria, when they face changed or harsh environment, like, less availability of water, nutrients, and growth temperature.

Clostridium is a gram-positive bacterium and causes botulism in humans. It is an anaerobic bacterium with two forms, endospore form and vegetative form. Clostridium microbe is at rest until it is in a stable and improved environment. Generally, in harsh climates, clostridium survives due to the presence of endospores.

Bacillus is a gram-positive bacterium that is rod-shaped. Generally, bacillus is not harmful to humans. But the most common disease caused by bacillus to humans is anthrax. Moreover, bacillus contains swollen endospores as compared to clostridium.

Conclusion

The gram reactions of Clostridium and Bacillus are gram-positive.

The genus with swollen endospores is bacillus.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
What features of the endospore contribute to its resistance to harsh conditions?
What are endospores? Why are they formes?
What do you mean by bassidiospores?
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781259398629
Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
Text book image
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780815344322
Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Text book image
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781260159363
Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Text book image
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9781260231700
Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:McGraw Hill Education
Bacterial Infections in Humans; Author: Professor Dave Explains;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeFKAl9KyMg;License: Standard Youtube License