What color does a Gram-positive bacterium appear after staining?

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A Gram-positive bacterium appears purple after the Gram staining procedure. This distinctive coloration is due to the thick peptidoglycan layer present in the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria, which retains the crystal violet dye used during staining. When the Gram stain is performed, the crystal violet binds to the peptidoglycan, creating a complex that is not easily washed out during the decolorization step with alcohol or acetone. As a result, these bacteria remain stained purple. Understanding this concept is essential in microbiology as it helps differentiate between types of bacteria, which can influence treatment decisions in clinical settings.

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