gram stain

[S. Tan]

specifically, i think the heat causes bacterial proteins to denature and
stick to one another (the process is known as coagulation)

On 17 Apr 1998, Rich L wrote:

> Peter Herman <rpeter at nmsu.edu> wrote:
> : tan poh ewe wrote:
> : > 
> : > Can anyone tell me the mechanism of heat fixing in a smear like gram stain.
> : > How does heating help fix the material on the slide????
> : > 
> : > Thank you.
> : > 
> : > tpe
> 
> : The analogy I always use for class is an egg in a frying pan with no
> : butter.  If you heat it enough it sticks.  If you heat it to much it
> : chars. If you heat it before it is dry you poach it and the cell (egg)
> : is denatured without sticking.
> 
> : Peter
> 
> Nice analogy
> 
> Rich