Problem
In the Gram stain, the timing of the decolorization step (the alcohol/ethanol wash) is very important. Assume you are performing a Gram stain on a mixture of Gram positive cocci and Gram negative bacilli.
• How would the slide appear if you didn't decolorize enough (you decolorized for less the required time)?
• How would the slide appear if you decolorized too much (you decolorized for significantly more than the required time)?