Which of the following acts of mordant in gram staining technique

Options

A. Alcohol
B. Crystal violet stain
C. Safranine
D. Lodine

Answer

To solve the question regarding which substance acts as a mordant in the Gram staining technique, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Gram Staining Technique
- The Gram staining technique is a differential staining method used to classify bacteria into two groups: Gram-positive and Gram-negative. This classification is based on the structure and composition of their cell walls.

### Step 2: Identify the Components of Gram Staining
- The Gram staining process involves several key components:
1. Crystal violet (primary stain)
2. Iodine (mordant)
3. Alcohol (decolorizer)
4. Safranin (counterstain)

### Step 3: Define the Role of a Mordant
- A mordant is a substance that helps to fix a dye onto a material. In the context of Gram staining, it enhances the binding of the primary stain to the bacterial cells.

### Step 4: Analyze the Options Given
- The options provided are:
1. Alcohol
2. Crystal violet stain
3. Safranin
4. Iodine

### Step 5: Determine the Correct Answer
- Among the options, iodine is the substance that functions as a mordant in the Gram staining technique. It forms a complex with crystal violet, which helps to retain the dye in the bacterial cell walls.

### Final Answer
- The correct answer is **iodine**.

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