Title: Perform microscopy and Gram stain preparation.
Course: Medical Laboratory Technology II (14102-II) > Section: Performing Basic Microbiology Skills

Performance should include

- preparation of a Gram stain using crystal violet, Gram's iodine, decolorizer, and safranin
- examination of a Gram-stained smear for gram-positive and gram-negative organisms
- explanation of the observed morphology.

Process/Skill Questions:

- Why is immersion oil used when examining a smear for bacteria?
- What is the importance of using the correct order of reagents when performing a Gram stain?
- How do gram-positive organisms appear on a Gram stain?
- How do the gram-negative organisms appear on a Gram stain?
- How does one differentiate between primary stain vs. counterstain?