Final answer:
Skipping the heat fixing step before the staining procedure may result in the bacteria washing off during staining.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you skipped the heat fixing step and continued with the staining procedure, there would be a risk of the bacteria washing off during staining. Heat fixing is a process that helps to permanently affix the bacteria to the glass slide, preventing them from washing away. Without heat fixing, the bacteria may not adhere properly to the slide, leading to potential loss of the bacterial sample during the staining process.