Final answer:
The order for preparing a bacterial smear for staining is to make the smear, fix it, and then stain it, corresponding to option A: 2-3-1.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct sequence for preparing a bacterial smear for staining is making the smear, fixing it, and then staining it. Therefore, the correct order is: Make a smear, Fix the smear, and Stain the smear.
Initially, you need to spread the bacterial culture on the slide, creating a thin film. This is the process of making a smear. Once the bacterial smear is air dried, it must be fixed to the slide. Heat fixing by passing the slide through a flame is a common method, which helps the cells to adhere to the slide. After fixation, the smear is ready for staining. The stain used, such as safranin, allows for contrast so that the cells can be easily observed under a microscope. The correct sequence for these steps is represented by option A: 2-3-1, which translates to Make smear (2), Fix the smear (3), and Stain the smear (1).
The correct sequence of steps for staining bacterial smears is as follows:
1 - Making a smear
2 - Fixing
3 - Staining
Making a smear involves spreading a small amount of bacterial culture in a thin film on a glass slide. Fixing is the process of chemically or physically affixing the smear to the slide, typically done through heat fixing. Finally, staining is done by adding dyes to the smear to visualize the bacterial cells.