Question

The final result of a Schaeffer-Fulton stained slide is

a) clear spores and pink sporangium.
b) pink spores and green sporangium.
c) green spores and purple sporangium.
d) green spores and pink sporangium.

Answer 1

In Schaeffer-Fulton stained slides, the endospores are stained green with malachite green, and the vegetative cells are counterstained pink with safranin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process of endospore staining is essential for differentiating between the spores and vegetative cells of bacteria, particularly for species of the genus Bacillus. In the Schaeffer-Fulton endospore staining technique, the primary stain is malachite green, which is forced into the endospore by heat. After washing with water, which decolorizes the vegetative cells, a counterstain, typically safranin, is used. This stains the vegetative cells pink. Consequently, the endospores appear green and the vegetative cells appear pink under a microscope.

The correct answer to the student's question is d) green spores and pink sporangium.