Bacteria are a huge group of single-celled microscopic organisms categorized as prokaryotic cells (lack true nucleus). Their inner structure is simple composing mainly of capsule, cellular wall, cytoplasm, ribosomes, DNA, pili, and flagellum. Bacteria can either be a gram-positive or gram-negative, and to find it out, a gram-staining technique has to be used.  

Gram Staining technique is the most important and widely used microbiological differential staining technique. It categorizes bacteria according to their Gram character (Gram positive or Gram negative).

Along with their staining characteristics, Gram Positive and Gram Negative bacteria differ from each other in various aspects which are listed below :

Differences Between Gram Positive and Gram Negative Bacteria

S.N.CharacteristicsGram PositiveGram Negative
1.Gram ReactionRetain crystal violet dye and stain blue or purple.

Gram-Positive   
Accept safranin and stain pink or red
Gram-Negative    
2.Cell Wall StructureStructure of Gram Positive cell wall :
gram-positive-cell-wall
Structure of Gram Negative cell wall :
gram-negative-cell-wall
3.Cell Wall ThicknessThick (20-80 nm)Thin (8-10 nm)
4.Chemical Composition of Cell WallPeptidoglycan, Teichoic acid Lipotechoic acidLipopolysaccharide, Lipoproteins and Peptidoglycans
5.Peptidoglycan LayerThick (Multilayered)Thin (Single layered)
6.Teichoic Acid in Cell WallPresentAbsent
7.Lipopolysaccharide Layer (Outer Layer)AbsentPresent
8.Lipid ContentAbsent or lower content of lipids than Gram Negative bacteriaContains higher content of lipids than Gram positive bacteria (due to presence of outer membrane)
9.Porin ProteinsAbsentPresent
10.Flagellar Structure2 rings in basal body4 rings in basal body
11.Periplasmic SpaceAbsentPresent
12.MesosomeMore prominentLess prominent
13.Ratio of RNA:DNA8:1Almost 1
14.Toxins ProducedPrimarily ExotoxinsEndotoxins and Exotoxins (Primarily Endotoxins)
15.Resistance to Physical DisruptionHighLow
16.Cell Wall Disruption by LysozymeHigh.
After digestion of peptidoglycan layer, Gram +ve bacteria become Protoplast.
Low.
After digestion of peptidoglycan layer, Gram -ve bacteria become Spheroplast.
17.Susceptibility to Penicilin and SulphonamideHighLow
18.Susceptibility to Streptomycin, Chloramphenicol and TetracyclineLowHigh
19.Inhibition by Basic DyesHighLow
20.Susceptibility to ionic detergentsHighLow
21.Resistance to Sodium AzideHighLow
22.Resistance to DryingHighLow
23.Isoelectric Range pH2.5-4.04.5-5.5
24.Nutritional RequirementsRelatively ComplexRelatively Simple
25.RenderingThey can rendered Gram -ve by increasing acidityThey can rendered Gram +ve by increasing alkalinity
26.MorphologyUsually cocci or spore forming rods (exception : Lactobacillus and Corynebacterium)Usually non-spore forming rods (Exception : Neisseria)
27.ExamplesStaphylococcus Streptococcus Bacillus Clostridium Nocardia Propionibacterium Enterococcus Corynebacterium Listeria Lactobacillus GardnerellaEscherichia Salmonella Klebsiella Proteus Helicobacter Hemophilus Vibrio Shigella Neisseria Enterobacter Pseudomonas

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1. What are the examples of gram-positive bacteria?

Some of the common gram-positive bacteria you will encounter in the healthcare setting as they are the leading causes of clinical infections are:
1. Staphylococcus
2. Streptococcus
3. Bacillus
4. Clostridium
5. Nocardia
6. Propionibacterium
7. Enterococcus
8. Corynebacterium
9. Listeria
10. Lactobacillus
11. Gardnerella

Q 2. Which is more harmful- gram-positive bacteria or gram-negative bacteria?

Of the two, gram-negative bacteria are more harmful as their outer membranes are protected by a slim layer hiding antigens present in the cell. If the infection is caused by gram-negative bacteria, it would require a strong dose of antibiotics and strict compliance to the course of treatment to thoroughly get rid of the harmful bacteria.

Q 3. Is it easier to kill gram-positive bacteria?

Of the two, gram-negative bacteria are more harmful as their outer membranes are protected by a slim layer hiding antigens present in the cell. If the infection is caused by gram-negative bacteria, it would require a strong dose of antibiotics and strict compliance to the course of treatment to thoroughly get rid of the harmful bacteria.

Q 4. What infections are caused by gram-positive bacteria?

Some of the infections caused by gram-positive bacteria include the following:
1. Urinary tract infection
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diphtheria

Q 5. What infections are caused by gram-negative bacteria?

Some of the infections caused by gram-negative bacteria are:
Bloodstream infections
Pneumonia
Meningitis

Q 6. Is E coli gram positive?

No. It is a rod-shaped gram-negative bacterium.

Q 7. What kills gram negative bacteria?

Gram-negative bacteria are more difficult to destroy than gram-positive. The most effective approach is to use a combination therapy, especially antibiotics with dual-mechanism action.

Q 8. Are gram negative bacteria curable?

Yes. It needs a strong dose of antibiotic and combination treatment to thoroughly destroy the pathogen.

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