Gram staining is a method used to differentiate between cell wall
characteristics by using a safranin stain that adheres to peptidoglycan (a
sugar/amino acid polymer that forms bacterial cell walls).
Gram-positive bacteria possess a thick layer of peptidoglycan exterior to
the plasma membrane that retains the dye crystal violet. They appear to be
a dark purple or blue/black.
Gram-negative bacteria have a cell wall composed of a thin layer of
peptidoglycan and lipids that is sandwiched between two plasmamembranes. Because of this, the crystal violet washes out easily and they
become stained a light red or pink color with safranin stain.
(via fyeahchemistry)
1 year ago