Question

What is the function of a mordant in gram staining?

Answer 1

The function that a mordant has is to form a complex with the primary stain so that it becomes trapped with the bacteria that have structural properties. In Gram stain, the gram of iodine is used to form a complex with crystal violet, which becomes trapped in gram-positive cells. For this reason, its color is purple.

Answer 2

The  function  of  mordant  in  the   gram  staining  is  to   expose  grams  positive  cell  to  the  decolorizer  which  dissolves  the  lipids  in  the  cell  wall   thus  allowing  the  crystals  violent-iodine  to  leach  out  of  the  cell. This  facilitate  the  cell  subsequently   be  stained  by  with  safranin.