27.1 Structural and Functional Adaptations Contribute to Prokaryotic Success Flashcards
Cocci
Bacilli
Sparilla
What are the roles of the cell wall?
- Maintain cell shape
- Protect the cell
- Prevent the cell from bursting in a hypotonic environment
What is the definition of: Peptidoglycan
A polymer composed of modified sugars cross-linked by short polypeptides. Most bacterial cell walls contain peptidoglycan.
Do Archaea cells posses peptidoglycan in their cell walls?
No. Their cell walls are made of polysaccharides and proteins.
What type of bacterium stain purple on a gram test?
What type of cell walls do these bacteria have?
Gram + bacteria. These are bacteria with relatively simple cell walls composed of a thick layer of peptidoglycan
What type of bacteria stain red on a gram test?
What type of structure do these bacteria have?
Gram - bacteria. These bacteria have less peptidoglycan and are structurally more complex, with an outer membrane that contains lipopolysaccharides
Are gram + or gram - bacteria more dangerous?
Gram -, they can cause fever and shock and their thick cell walls protect from the bodies defenses as well as treatment
What is the definition of: Capsule
A sticky layer of polysaccharide or protein in the cell wall of many prokaryotes that is dense and well defined
What is the definition of: Slime layer
A poorly organized sticky layer of polysaccharide or protein in the cell wall of many prokaryotes
What is the purpose of a capsule or slime layer?
It allows the cell to adhere to a substrate or other cells
What is the definition of: Endospore
A thick coated, resistant cell produced by some bacterial cells when they are exposed to harsh conditions. The original cell produces a copy of its chromosome and surrounds that copy with a multilayered structure. The original cell then lyses, releasing the endospore, which is more durable
What is the definition of: Fimbriae
A short, hair like appendage that helps a prokaryote cell adhere to substate or other cells
What is the definition of: Pili
Appendages that pull two cells together prior to DNA transfer from one cell to another
