In the Gram stain,_____ is used as a mordant to stabilize crystal violet in _____ cells.

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Iodine is used as a mordant in the Gram staining procedure to enhance the staining process. It forms a complex with crystal violet, helping to stabilize it within the thick peptidoglycan layer of Gram-positive bacterial cells. This results in the retention of the purple color after rinsing with alcohol. In contrast, Gram-negative cells lose the crystal violet stain and take up the counterstain, safranin, which turns them pink or red.

In the Gram Stain,_____ Is Used as a Mordant to Stabilize