Are Gram negative bacteria classified as such because of their negative membrane potential?

Question

Does the membrane potential usually quoted for Gram negative bacteria (e.g. E. coli) refer to the potential across both membranes? - If yes, then does the potential fall more over the inner or outer membrane? Are there any studies that estimate/measure the relative fraction for each membrane?I assume that the measurements of potential are usually carried out by inserting an electrode inside the cell and measuring the difference with the outside, this would make the answer to the first question yes.

Answer 1

The Gram negativeare characterized by their cell envelopes, which are composed of a thin peptidoglycan cell wall sandwiched between an inner cytoplasmic cell membrane and a bacterial outer membrane. Gram-positive bacteria do not have an outer cell membrane found in Gram-negative bacteria. The cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria is high in peptidoglycan which is responsible for retaining the crystal violet dye.

Answer 2

Gram stain

noun

MEDICINE

1. a staining technique for the preliminary identification of bacteria, in which a violet dye is applied, followed by a decolorizing agent and then a red dye. The cell walls of certain bacteria (denoted Gram-positive ) retain the first dye and appear violet, while those that lose it (denoted Gram-negative) appear red. Also called Gram's method.