Gram-negative
Gram-negative
Gram-negative (pronounced: gram-neh-guh-tiv) refers to a group of bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining method of bacterial differentiation. The term was coined by Danish bacteriologist Hans Christian Gram, who developed the staining technique in 1884.
Etymology
The term "Gram-negative" is named after Hans Christian Gram, who developed the Gram staining technique. The suffix "-negative" is derived from the fact that these types of bacteria do not retain the crystal violet stain used in Gram's method.
Characteristics
Gram-negative bacteria are characterized by their cell walls, which are thin and composed of a thin peptidoglycan cell wall sandwiched between an inner cytoplasmic cell membrane and a bacterial outer membrane. They are often more resistant to antibiotics than Gram-positive bacteria.
Examples
Examples of Gram-negative bacteria include Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Helicobacter pylori, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Related Terms
- Gram staining: A method of differentiating bacterial species into two large groups (Gram-positive and Gram-negative).
- Gram-positive bacteria: Bacteria that retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining method.
- Peptidoglycan: A polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like layer outside the plasma membrane of most bacteria, forming the cell wall.
- Antibiotics: Drugs that fight infections caused by bacteria.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gram-negative
- Wikipedia's article - Gram-negative
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