Gram Stain:

positive

-almost always the first test preformed for the identification of bacteria

-named after the Danish bacteriologist who originally devised it in 1882, Hans Christian Gram

-Gram staining is based on the ability of the bacterial cell wall to retain the christal violet dye durring the solvent treatment

-cell walls for Gram-positive microorganisms have a higher peptidoglycan and lower lipid count than the Gram-negative microorganisms

Structure:

-occures in single cell form

-occures in long chains

 -the term bacillus implies that the bacteria is rod-like in shape

Habitat:

-survives well in milk cultures that have been made sterile by heating at 70 degrees celcius for 30 minutes

-survives in broth cultures

Classification

-Kingdom: Bacteria

-Division: Firmicutes-dvision of bacteria, most of which have cell wall structure.  Many Firmicutes produce endospores, which can withstand extreme conditions and are resistent to dessication, (process of extreme drying).

-endospores are tough, non reproductive structures put off by some bacteria in the Firmicutes class.  There role is to ensure survival of the bacteria through periods of environmental stress...(a last result chance reaction made by the bacteria if you will)

-Class: Bacilli

-Order: Lactobacillales-order of gram-positive bacteria that compose the lactic acid bacteria.

-often found in soil water plants and animals

-widely used in the firmentation of foods such as dairy products, yogurt, cheese, butter, etc...

-Family: Lactobacillaceae-a family of lactic acid bacteria

-Genus: Lactobacillus