Endospores exist in a cryptobiotic state. That is to say that they can exist in the absence of measurable metabolic actvity. These unreactive entities exist within the bacterial cell and remain long after the vegetative cell has died. They are strongly resistant to radiation, strong acids, bases, and disinfectants. On a sterile slide, two circles are drawn with a wax pen. A single drop of water is placed in the first circle. Using aseptic technique, a small amount of bacteria is transfered from the slant into the first circle containing water and mixed around. Then using aseptic technique, a loop full of this diluted bacteria is transfered to a second drop of water located in the second circle. This is done to further dilute the bacteria. The slide is allowed to air dry for about 5 minutes and then is ran once or twice over the bunsen burner to 'heat fix' the sample to the slide. The slide is then set on top of a ring stand. A piece of paper towel the size of a slide is placed on top of the slide. Malachite green is added until the slide is fully saturated, and then heat is added through the use of a bunsen burner. It is important not to boil the malachite green, just to allow it to steam. Therefore, malachite green must be added periodically throughout heating. After 5 to 6 minutes, the heating is removed and the slide is allowed to cool for one minute. Then the paper towel is removed through the use of tweezers, and the slide is rinsed with water for 15 to 30 seconds. Then the slide is stained with safranin for one minute, and then rinsed with water. Burnt dye on the back of the slide is removed using acid alcohol. The slide is the blotted dry and viewed using oil immersion on a light microscope. Bacterial cells are stained pink, while endospores are stained green.