The success of the bacterial material collection step determines the efficiency of further staining and microbiological analysis of the organisms. Thus, it is the experimenter’s task to ensure the high quality of the procedure, preventing the occurrence of random errors and losses. Air drying of the smear is precisely the stage at which a significant amount of bacteriological material can be lost if the instructions are not followed correctly. If a flame is used instead of air drying, it will lead to denaturation and further rupture of the cell wall, which means the strain will die before staining even begins. On the other hand, air does not heat the sample, whereas fire will cause overheating, initiating excess water’s boiling on the glass. This, too, has the potential to disrupt the structure of the bacterial cell wall and damage the fixation.
Why is it essential that the smear be air dried? Why can’t they be gently heated over a flame for a few minutes to speed up the drying process?
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Academic.Tips. (2022) 'Why is it essential that the smear be air dried? Why can't they be gently heated over a flame for a few minutes to speed up the drying process'. 18 June.
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Academic.Tips. (2022, June 18). Why is it essential that the smear be air dried? Why can't they be gently heated over a flame for a few minutes to speed up the drying process? https://academic.tips/question/why-is-it-essential-that-the-smear-be-air-dried-why-cant-they-be-gently-heated-over-a-flame-for-a-few-minutes-to-speed-up-the-drying-process/
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Academic.Tips. 2022. "Why is it essential that the smear be air dried? Why can't they be gently heated over a flame for a few minutes to speed up the drying process?" June 18, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/why-is-it-essential-that-the-smear-be-air-dried-why-cant-they-be-gently-heated-over-a-flame-for-a-few-minutes-to-speed-up-the-drying-process/.
1. Academic.Tips. "Why is it essential that the smear be air dried? Why can't they be gently heated over a flame for a few minutes to speed up the drying process?" June 18, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/why-is-it-essential-that-the-smear-be-air-dried-why-cant-they-be-gently-heated-over-a-flame-for-a-few-minutes-to-speed-up-the-drying-process/.
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Academic.Tips. "Why is it essential that the smear be air dried? Why can't they be gently heated over a flame for a few minutes to speed up the drying process?" June 18, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/why-is-it-essential-that-the-smear-be-air-dried-why-cant-they-be-gently-heated-over-a-flame-for-a-few-minutes-to-speed-up-the-drying-process/.
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"Why is it essential that the smear be air dried? Why can't they be gently heated over a flame for a few minutes to speed up the drying process?" Academic.Tips, 18 June 2022, academic.tips/question/why-is-it-essential-that-the-smear-be-air-dried-why-cant-they-be-gently-heated-over-a-flame-for-a-few-minutes-to-speed-up-the-drying-process/.