23 Critical Thinking Questions Microscopy
- What advantages and disadvantages can you think of when using fluorescent dyes instead of crystal violet (the traditional Gram stain dye)?
- Why do you think it is important that SYTO9 and Hexidium Iodide not have significantly overlapping emission spectra?
- An iodine and then an alcohol wash are the final steps of a Gram stain. Based on your understanding of lipid membranes and cell walls, what do you think the purpose of these reagents is? (Hint: iodine creates a high molecular weight complex with crystal violet)
- Why might it be important to use a Gram stain or acceptable alternative to identify the Gram status of a bacterial isolate in a medical setting?
