9 Prokaryotes inside and out Flashcards
1
Q
Classification - The Gram Stain
A
Allows you to determine the two major classes - Gram +ve or Gram -ve
- Heat with crystal violet
- Add iodine solution
- Decolourise with alcohol (Gram +ve stain purple)
- Stain with safranin (gram -ve stain red)
2
Q
Key Features of a Prokaryote Cell
A
- No membrane-bound nucleus
- Single circular DNA genome
- Plasmid DNA free in cytoplasm
- Enzymes and ribosomes free in cytoplasm
- No mitochondria, Golgi or ER
- Rigid, complex cell wall with appendages
- Survival by adaptation to environment
3
Q
Streptococcus pneumoniae
A
- Gram +ve
- Encapsulated coccus
- Causes respiratory infections
- SEM x3750
4
Q
Escherichia coli
A
- Gram -ve
- Flagella and fimbriae
- Enteric, urinary and nosocomal infections
- SEM x3515
5
Q
Clostridium difficile
A
- Gram +ve rods
- Anaerobic
- Forms part of normal gut microflora
- Causes inflammation (colitis) and abdominal disease
- SEM x1200
6
Q
Escherichia coli 0157:H7
A
- Gram -ve rods
- Anaerobic
- Causal agent of haemorragic disease due to toxin secretion
- SEM x9335
7
Q
Helicobacter pylori
A
- Gram -ve spirals
- Moves using flagella
- Associated with chronic superficial gastritis
- SEM x2200
8
Q
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
A
- Gram +ve rods
- Moves using flagella
- Able to reside inside tissues due to hydrophobic cell wall
- SEM x3000
9
Q
Staphylococcus aureus
A
- Gram +ve cocci
- MRSA
- Causes a variety of infections and disease
- SEM x13335
10
Q
Prokaryote DNA - Nucleoid
A
- Circular, supercoiled, double stranded
- Associated with histone-like proteins
- Generally only one chromosome
- E.coli chromosome 4.6 x 106 base pairs
11
Q
Prokaryote DNA - Plasmids
A
- Small loops of extrachromosomal DNA
- Not essential for survival a priori
- May contain genes that are expressed in response to certain situations
- May be used to transfer genes between cells, e.g. resistance to antibiotics
- Can be incorporated into the chromosome
- Single DNA strand transferred between cells by conjugation using ‘rolling circle’ replication
plasmids used to transfer one bacterium to another
12
Q
Ribosomes and Translation
A
- Free in cytoplasm, composed of two large subunits
- Small 30S subunit binds to mRNA
- Large 50S subunit binds, completes 70S ribosome
13
Q
Plasma (Cytoplasmic) Membrane
A
- Phospholipid bilayer, embedded proteins
- Contains cytoplasm, regulates transport
- Three types of active transport in bacteria:
- PMF-driven transport
- ABC transport (ATP-Binding Cassette) • Group translocation e.g. glucose 6-P
- Site of assembly of cell wall components
14
Q
Peptidoglycan
A
- Highly cross-linked polymer composed of carbohydrates and amino acids
- Differences between Gram +ve and Gram –ve bacteria
- Rigid, prevents osmotic lysis
15
Q
Gram +ve Peptidoglycan
A
Staphylococcus aureus