Individual bacterial cells exhibit morphology typical of their species: size, shape, and arrangement of cells. These can be demonstrated by making a Smear on a glass slide, then staining the smear with a suitable dye. The use of a stained smear permits microscopic examination of the smear with the oil immersion lens, which gives the greatest magnification, revealing the size, shape, and arrangement. The study of Individual Bacterial Cells is thus frequently one of the first steps in the identification of bacteria.
