Which of the Following is Best Visualized Using a Negative

Question

Which of the following is best visualized using a negative stain?
A) Gram-negative cell wall
B) acid-fast cell wall
C) capsule
D) endospores
E) flagella

Accepted Answer

Negative staining is used to visualize structures that are too delicate to withstand heat-fixing, such as capsules. The stain used in this method does not penetrate the capsule, leaving a clear halo around the stained background. Gram-negative and acid-fast cell walls can be visualized using other staining methods, such as the Gram stain and acid-fast stain, respectively. Endospores are best visualized using the endospore stain, and flagella can be observed using a flagella stain or by using electron microscopy.