GRAM+ VS GRAM-

Certainly! Let's break down the statement about Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria cell walls:

1. **Gram-Positive Bacteria**:

   - In Gram-positive bacteria, the cell wall is primarily composed of a substance called **peptidoglycan**.

   - Peptidoglycan is like a protective mesh or layer that surrounds the bacterial cell. It provides structural support and helps the cell maintain its shape.

   - Imagine it as a sturdy brick wall around the cell, with each "brick" made up of sugars and amino acids.

2. **Gram-Negative Bacteria**:

   - In Gram-negative bacteria, the cell wall is also composed of peptidoglycan, but it's thinner than in Gram-positives.

   - What makes Gram-negatives different is that they have an additional outer membrane that surrounds the peptidoglycan layer. This outer membrane is made up of a substance called **murein** or **lipopolysaccharides**.

   - Think of it as an extra protective layer outside the peptidoglycan wall, like a second wall around the cell.

So, in simple terms:

- Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan cell wall.

- Gram-negative bacteria have a thinner peptidoglycan layer surrounded by an outer murein membrane.

This distinction is important in microbiology because it affects how these bacteria react to certain staining techniques, which is why they are called "Gram-positive" and "Gram-negative."