Final answer:
In Schaeffer-Fulton stained slides, the endospores are stained green with malachite green, and the vegetative cells are counterstained pink with safranin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of endospore staining is essential for differentiating between the spores and vegetative cells of bacteria, particularly for species of the genus Bacillus. In the Schaeffer-Fulton endospore staining technique, the primary stain is malachite green, which is forced into the endospore by heat. After washing with water, which decolorizes the vegetative cells, a counterstain, typically safranin, is used. This stains the vegetative cells pink. Consequently, the endospores appear green and the vegetative cells appear pink under a microscope.
The correct answer to the student's question is d) green spores and pink sporangium.