How Do You Spell GRAM-POSITIVE?

Pronunciation: [ɡɹˈampˈɒzɪtˌɪv] (IPA)

The correct spelling of "gram-positive" is /ɡræm ˈpɑzətɪv/. The word "gram" refers to the Gram stain, a laboratory technique used to differentiate bacteria based on their cell wall properties. "Positive" indicates that the tested bacteria retained a purple color after being treated with crystal violet stain, meaning they have a thick peptidoglycan layer and retain the stain. This characteristic is commonly seen in bacteria such as staphylococci and streptococci. Understanding the correct spelling and pronunciation of this term is crucial in the field of microbiology.

GRAM-POSITIVE Meaning and Definition

  1. Gram-positive refers to a classification of bacteria based on their reaction to the Gram stain test. This test is used in microbiology to differentiate between different types of bacteria based on their cell wall structure. Gram-positive bacteria retain the purple crystal violet stain during the Gram staining process, appearing as dark purple or blue under a microscope.

    Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall, which is responsible for retaining the crystal violet stain. This layer provides structural support and protection against external factors. In addition to peptidoglycan, the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria also contains teichoic acids, lipoteichoic acids, and other surface proteins.

    These bacteria are often characterized by their ability to form clusters, chains, or pairs. Some examples of Gram-positive bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis. It is important to note that not all Gram-positive bacteria are pathogenic, as many species are part of the normal flora present in the human body.

    In terms of antibiotic susceptibility, Gram-positive bacteria are generally more susceptible to antibiotics that target the cell wall, such as penicillins and cephalosporins. This is because the thick peptidoglycan layer provides a good target for these drugs. The ability to classify bacteria as Gram-positive or Gram-negative is a fundamental tool in microbiology and assists in determining appropriate treatment options in infections.

Common Misspellings for GRAM-POSITIVE

  • fram-positive
  • vram-positive
  • bram-positive
  • hram-positive
  • yram-positive
  • tram-positive
  • geam-positive
  • gdam-positive
  • gfam-positive
  • gtam-positive
  • g5am-positive
  • g4am-positive
  • grzm-positive
  • grsm-positive
  • grwm-positive
  • grqm-positive
  • gran-positive
  • grak-positive
  • graj-positive

Etymology of GRAM-POSITIVE

The word "gram-positive" is formed from two roots: "gram" and "positive".

The term "gram" refers to the Danish bacteriologist, Hans Christian Gram, who developed the Gram staining technique in 1884. The Gram staining method involves treating bacterial cells with a violet crystal dye followed by iodine, and then washing the cells with alcohol. Gram-positive bacteria retain the violet crystal dye and appear purple or blue under a microscope. In contrast, Gram-negative bacteria, which do not retain the dye, appear red or pink.

The word "positive" refers to the fact that Gram-positive bacteria retain the violet crystal dye, indicating that they possess a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls. This peptidoglycan layer helps to retain the dye and gives them their characteristic purple or blue color.