Bacteria can be classified into two major groups based on the composition and structure of
their cell walls: Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
• Gram-positive Bacteria:
o Cell Wall Composition: Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their
cell wall. Peptidoglycan is a polymer consisting of long chains of alternating N-
acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) molecules cross-linked by short
peptide chains. This layer constitutes the primary component of the cell wall in Gram-
positive bacteria, making up to 90% of its dry weight.
o Other Components: In addition to peptidoglycan, Gram-positive bacteria may also contain
other molecules such as teichoic acids and lipoteichoic acids. Teichoic acids are polymers of
glycerol or ribitol phosphate that are covalently linked to the peptidoglycan or embedded
in the cytoplasmic membrane. Lipoteichoic acids are anchored in the cytoplasmic
membrane and extend into the peptidoglycan layer.
o Staining Characteristics: During the Gram staining procedure, Gram-positive bacteria
retain the crystal violet dye and appear purple or blue under a microscope.
• Gram-negative Bacteria:
o Cell Wall Composition: Gram-negative bacteria have a thinner layer of peptidoglycan
compared to Gram-positive bacteria. This layer is located in the periplasmic space between
the inner cytoplasmic membrane and the outer membrane. The peptidoglycan layer in
Gram-negative bacteria is linked to lipoproteins in the outer membrane and is not as
extensive as in Gram-positive bacteria.
o Outer Membrane: Gram-negative bacteria possess an outer membrane external to the
peptidoglycan layer. This outer membrane is composed of lipopolysaccharides (LPS),
phospholipids, and proteins. LPS consists of three components: lipid A, core polysaccharide,
and O antigen. Lipid A is responsible for the endotoxic properties of Gram-negative bacteria
and can induce strong immune responses in the host.
o Staining Characteristics: During the Gram staining procedure, Gram-negative bacteria do
not retain the crystal violet dye. Instead, they are counterstained with safranin or fuchsine
and appear pink or red under a microscope.
Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria exhibit differences in their susceptibility to
certain antibiotics, their ability to trigger immune responses, and their pathogenicity. For
example, the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria provides them with increased
resistance to antibiotics and detergents compared to Gram-positive bacteria. Additionally,
the presence of LPS in Gram-negative bacteria can elicit strong inflammatory responses in
the host, contributing to the severity of infections caused by these bacteria. Understanding
the differences in cell wall composition between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
is crucial for diagnostic microbiology, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and the development
of therapeutic interventions.
