Question

Acid-fast organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis resist decolorization by an acid-alcohol wash because of the high concentration of __________ in their cell walls.

Answer 1

Answer:

Acid -fast organisms resist decolonization by an acid alcohol wash because of high concentration of lipid in their cell wall.

Explanation:

Acid fast organisms contain a wax like impermeable cell wall which contain mycolic acid and large amount of fatty acid,waxes and complex lipid.Acid fast organisms are highly resistant to disinfectants and dry condition Mycobacteria possess thick waxy cell wall rich in mycolic acid. This makes it difficult to be stained using Gram's techniques. But with the use of carbon fuschen,the cell wall can be stained using acid-fast technique.