Characteristics of Gram-Positive Bacteria

Gram-positive bacteria are a type of bacteria that retain the crystal violet stain in Gram staining, appearing purple under a microscope.
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Microbiology | Bacterial Infections | Antibiotic Susceptibility | Bacterial Classification | Cell Wall Structure | Microscopic Appearance
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Gram-positive Bacteria FAQ


Image credit: imperial.ac.uk

What is a Gram positive bacteria?

Gram-positive bacteria may be cocci or bacilli. (See figure How Bacteria Shape Up .) Some Gram-positive bacteria cause disease. Others normally occupy a particular site in the body, such as the skin. These bacteria, called resident flora , do not usually cause disease. Gram-positive bacilli cause certain infections, including the following:

What are Gram-positive bacteria?

Gram-positive bacteria are a type of bacteria that have a thick cell wall. This cell wall helps protect the bacteria from antibiotics and other substances that might damage them. Gram-positive bacteria can cause a range of infections, from food poisoning to serious respiratory diseases.

Are Gram positive organisms pathogenic?

In the classical sense, six gram-positive genera are typically pathogenic in humans. Two of these, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, are cocci (sphere-shaped). The remaining organisms are bacilli (rod-shaped) and can be subdivided based on their ability to form spores.

How are Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria classified?

Gram-positive bacteria are classified by the color they turn after a chemical called Gram stain is applied to them. Gram-positive bacteria stain blue when this stain is applied to them. (Other bacteria stain red. They are called gram-negative.) Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria stain differently because their cell walls are different.

Gram-positive Bacteria References

If you want to know more about Gram-positive Bacteria, consider exploring links below:

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