in order to observe their cell characteristics they need to be stained
 
 this method consists of preparing a smear that is air dried and heat fixed and adding a stain to the bacteria on the slide.
 
 bacteria are very small n transparent when observed with a wet mount preparation.
 
 bacteria are usually negatively charged anionic
 
 the simple dyes used to stain bacteria have a positive charge cationic
 
 they are attracted to each other
 
 thee dye molecules r also stringky colored so that our eyes can see the stained bacteria