Questions: Multiple Choice Question In this image, cells are illustrated as they would appear after each step of the Gram stain procedure. All cells appear the same color after the first step because the counterstain has not yet been applied first dye, crystal violet, stains all cells purple first dye, safranin, stains all cells purple staining procedure has been done incorrectly

The answer is the second one: the first dye, crystal violet, stains all cells purple.

Explanation for each option:

1. Counterstain has not yet been applied: This statement is true, but it does not explain why all cells appear the same color after the first step. The counterstain is applied later in the Gram staining process to differentiate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

2. First dye, crystal violet, stains all cells purple: This is the correct answer. In the Gram stain procedure, the first step involves applying crystal violet, which stains all cells purple. This is why all cells appear the same color after the first step.

3. First dye, safranin, stains all cells purple: This is incorrect. Safranin is not the first dye used in the Gram stain procedure; it is the counterstain applied later. Safranin stains cells pink or red, not purple.

4. Staining procedure has been done incorrectly: This option suggests an error in the procedure, but it does not explain why all cells appear the same color after the first step. The uniform purple color is expected after the application of crystal violet.

In summary, the reason all cells appear the same color after the first step of the Gram stain procedure is that the first dye, crystal violet, stains all cells purple.