Question

gram stain
gram stain
read the overview below and complete the activities that follow.
this activity reviews the gram stain technique, a differential staining process that distinguishes between bacteria based on their cell wall composition. first, you will answer basic questions related to this topic. then, you will actively engage with an animation by answering questions as you watch. finally, you will be given some follow - up concept check questions to make sure you understand the concept fully.
concept check #1
1 true or false: bacteria are larger than human cells.
(click to select)

1. true or false: bacteria are only visible with an electron microscope.

(click to select)

1. the term used to describe a cluster of spherical bacteria is

○ streptococci
○ staphylococci
○ streptobacilli
○ vibrio

1. what general type of stain is used to separate types of bacteria based on their cellular structures?

○ negative
○ acidic
○ simple
○ differential

Explanation:

1. Bacteria are generally much smaller than human cells. Human cells can be 10 - 100 micrometers in diameter while most bacteria are 0.5 - 5 micrometers. So the answer is False.
2. Many bacteria can be seen with a light microscope at high magnifications (e.g., 1000x), not just an electron microscope. So the answer is False.
3. Streptococci are chains of spherical bacteria, staphylococci are clusters of spherical bacteria, streptobacilli are chains of rod - shaped bacteria, and vibrio are comma - shaped bacteria. So the answer is staphylococci.
4. A differential stain is used to separate types of bacteria based on their cellular structures. A Gram stain is a common differential stain. Negative stains are used to visualize capsules, acidic stains are a general type of stain but not for separating bacteria based on cellular structure in the way a differential stain does, and simple stains just color all bacteria the same color. So the answer is Differential.

Answer:

1. False
2. False
3. staphylococci
4. Differential