MicroVision
	SPORES
	These images show bacteria that are producing spores at 1000 X magnification. They are stained with the Schaeffer-Fulton stain, which uses malachite green as the primary dye and safranin as the counter stain. The spores, which may be heated or subjected to chemicals to induce them to take up malachite green, are a light green color. When the vegetative rods are subjected to a water rinse, they loose the malachite green and absorb the red safranin dye. Because the spores in these images occur at the end of the rod, they are designated as "terminal" spores. Spores that occur in the middle of a rod are termed "central", while spores located between the middle and end of a rod are termed "subterminal".  Spores occur by themselves after the death of the vegetative rod to which they were attached.  Two medically important genera of bacteria of bacteria that produce spores are Clostridium and Bacillus. More spores may be seen on the Clostridium tetani page (accessible by clicking on the "Bacteria/Yeast" button at the bottom of this page"). Click on each image to see the enlarged version. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
	© 1998