Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria commonly have a surface layer called an S-layer. In Gram-positive bacteria, the S-layer is attached to the peptidoglycan layer. Specific to Gram-positive bacteria is the presence of teichoic acids in the cell wall.
Likewise, what determines if a bacteria is gram negative or gram positive?
Gram-positive bacteria have a thick mesh-like cell wall made of peptidoglycan (50–90% of cell envelope), and as a result are stained purple by crystal violet, whereas gram-negative bacteria have a thinner layer (10% of cell envelope), so do not retain the purple stain and are counter-stained pink by safranin.
Is gram negative or gram positive worse?
It is difficult to treat gram-negative bacteria in comparison to gram-positive bacteria due to following reasons. There is a membrane present around the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria which increases the risk of toxicity to the host but this membrane is absent in gram-positive bacteria.
What is gram and gram bacteria?
This stain will either stain the cells purple (for positive) or pink (for negative). Gram-positive bacteria have a very thick cell wall made of a protein called peptidoglycan. These bacteria retain the crystal violet dye (one of the 2 main chemicals used for gram staining).