What would happen as a result if you forget to use the mordant (iodine) when per

Question

What would happen as a result if you forget to use the mordant (iodine) when performing a Gram stain?

it wouldn't matter because iodine doesn't color the cells

both G+ and G- cells would look purple because the crystal violet dye would not be able to leak out of the cells during decolorization

both G+ and G- cells would look pink because the crystal violet dye would leak out of both cells during decolorization

both G+ and G- cells would look pink because the crystal violet dye wouldn't be able to enter the cell wall

it wouldn't matter because iodine doesn't color the cells

both G+ and G- cells would look purple because the crystal violet dye would not be able to leak out of the cells during decolorization

both G+ and G- cells would look pink because the crystal violet dye would leak out of both cells during decolorization

both G+ and G- cells would look pink because the crystal violet dye wouldn't be able to enter the cell wall

Explanation / Answer

Answer:

C. both G+ and G- cells would look pink because the crystal violet dye would leak out of both cells during decolorization.

In Gram staining method, Iodine is a mordant that helps to retain the crystal violet dye; it makes sure that the dye gets stuck inside the cells. The primary stain is crystal violet, Iodine is subsequently added as a mordant to form the crystal violet-iodine complex so that the dye cannot be removed easily. In the absence of Iodine the Crystal Violet would be leeched out of the cells, because the Iodine is what helps the stain to stay within the cell during decolorization. The Gram-positive cells may lose the stain easily resulting the Gram-positive organisms to appear Gram-negative. Due to the use of counterstain, Safranin both Gram-positive and Gram-negative cells will aprear pink.

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