

In gram-positive bacteria, the cell envelope consists of two to three layers.

Let us compare the difference between gram positive vs gram negative cell envelope. Gram positive vs gram negative cell envelope The S-layer is attached to the peptidoglycan in gram-positive bacteria, while the S-layer is attached directly to the outer membrane in gram-negative bacteria.ĭiscussed below are the key difference in the structure of Gram positive vs Gram negative bacteria. A surface layer called an S-layer is seen in both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria have only two basal body rings to support them, whereas gram-negative bacteria have four basal body rings. Gram positive vs gram negative bacteria difference in basal body rings varies as well. The diderm bacteria where outer cell membrane is made up of mycolic acid.Archetypical diderm bacteria where the outer cell membrane contains lipopolysaccharide.The simple diderms lacking lipopolysaccharide.These diderm bacteria can be further differentiated between: The presence of an inner and outer cell membrane in gram-negative bacteria defines a new compartment which includes the periplasmic space or the periplasmic compartment. These bacteria with two membranes are termed diderm bacteria. Such bacteria show a close relationship to gram-positive bacteria.įurthermore, typically all gram-negative bacteria are bounded by two membranes a cytoplasmic membrane and an outer cell membrane. This is because they lack a peptidoglycan layer or due to their inability to retain the gram stain because of their cell wall composition. However, there are a number of bacteria that are bounded by a single membrane but stain gram-negative such as the Mycoplasmas. All gram-positive bacteria are bounded by a single lipid membrane and are therefore termed monoderm bacteria.

The difference between gram positive and gram negative bacteria is attributed to their cell wall structure. Gram positive vs gram negative bacteria structure Let’s compare the Gram positive vs Gram negative color at each stage of gram staining.Įscherichia, Salmonella, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae etc.Ī table showing the differences between Gram positive vs gram negative bacteria Hence, the gram staining process distinguishes bacteria by identifying peptidoglycan found in the cell wall of the gram-positive bacteria. Whereas, the small layer of peptidoglycan in gram-negative bacteria is dissolved when alcohol is added during the gram staining process. The gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell wall and due to this, they retain the crystal violet dye. This differential staining technique differentiates bacteria based on the difference in their cell wall structures. The gram staining technique was proposed by Hans Christian Gram in 1884 and has been used to distinguish the two types of bacteria. Gram positive vs gram negative bacteria color in gram staining Examples of Gram-negative bacteria examples include Pseudomonas species, Enterococci, and Salmonella species. This color is a result of the bacterial cell wall not being able to retain the crystal violet stain, hence, they are colored only by the safranin counterstain. Gram-negative bacteria are those bacterial species that give a pale reddish color when observed under a light microscope after the Gram staining procedure. Hence, the difference of gram positive vs gram negative stain color due to the cell wall structure forms the basis of the gram staining technique. Gram positive vs gram negative bacteria structure difference is attributed to their peptidoglycan layer. One such useful classification of a bacterium being gram-positive or gram-negative is based on the cell wall structure of the bacterium. However, putting together the characteristics can narrow down the possible identities. Bacterial species can therefore be broken down into broad groups based on the characteristic being studied. Such phenotypic characteristics include their shape (bacilli or cocci), preference for high or low oxygen environments, and growth in particular nutrients. Bacteria can be differentiated into gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria However, bacteria can be differentiated with their phenotypic differences without getting into the molecular aspect. Bacteria can be differentiated using a number of molecular techniques such as PCR, genome sequencing, quantitative PCR, and mass spectrometry. These organisms are microscopic and their structure comprises a cell wall, capsule, DNA, flagellum, cytoplasm, pili, and ribosomes. All bacteria are prokaryotic single-celled organisms that lack a true nucleus.
