Bacteria General + Pathogenesis Flashcards
how are bacteria named and classified
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Strain (subset of species differentiated by a small diff)
!!! putting spp. at the end of the species (eg. Staph spp) = AL STRAINS
GENERAL description of prokaryotic structure
-usually smaller in size
-no membrane bound organelles including nucleus
-circular DNA free in cytoplasm + extra-chromosomal DNA in the form of plasmids
-cell membrane + cell wall (diff to euk) + capsule or slime coat
-70S ribosomes (50+30)
-Asexual rep through binary fission (variability given due to plasmid conduction)
-flagellum (some)
!!! RESPIRATION USING MEMBRANE NOT MITOCHONDRIA
describe the DNA of prok cells
-single circular chromosome with no histones
-no introns
-genes arranged in operons
-NPAs (nucleoid associated proteins, help participate in transcription or affect chromosome organisation)
operon def
MONOCISTRONIC TRANSCRIPTION UNIT - clustered genes that code for structural proteins, all share a common promoter which allows them to be controlled together –> commonly the proteins encoded by the clustered genes have similar functions
describe plasmids
-extrachromosomal DNA
-mostly circular (but can be linear)
-each cell can have more than 1
-can carry advantageous genes:fantimicrobial resistance/ increased virulence / toxin production
-passed to other bacteria using CONDUCTION (cell to cell contact using pili)
what is the composition of the prok cytoplasm (3)
-glycogen and starches (as carbon source)
-inorgnic Pi (metabolism)
-ENDOSPORES: asexual spores that can develop inside certain families of bacteria (Bacilli and Clostridium) - usually triggered by a starvation of nutrients, and can be released and germinate under favourable conditions
what is the composition of the prok cell membrane
LIPIDS (40%), PROTEINS (60%), SMALL CARB AMOUNT
-lipids are mainly simple, rarely polyunsaturated
-unglycosylated proteins
what enzymes does the cell membrane of prok cells contain and why (2)
- enzymes for peptidoglycan synthesis (needed for cell wall)
- enzymes for ATP production (resp occurs in membrane bcos prok dont have mitochondria)
3 shapes of bacteria
- cocci (spherical)
- bacilli (rods)
- spirochetes (coils)
structure of bacteria cell walls + what wall determines
RESPONSIBLE FOR SHAPE OF BACTERIUM + GRAM+/-
- NAG/NAM joined by beta 1-4 bonds makes PEPTIDOGLYCAN
- tetrapeptide (4aa)
IN GRAM+: pentapeptide
method for gram staining
- add crystal violet (purple)
- decoloration using alcohol wash
- add safranin (pink)
- observe final color
GRAM+: retain the purple GRAM-: pink
layers of cell wall of G+/- bacteria
G+: 2 LAYERS - cell wall of peptidoglycan (thick)
G-: 3 LAYERS - peptidoglycan (thin), periplasmic space (empty), outer membrane (virulence factor with lipopolyssacharide)
G+ wall structures
-contains teichoic acid: this increases peptidoglycan rigidity, gives negative charge and is HIGHLY ANTIGENIC (and highly variable between diff species)
-peptidoglycan thicker than that of G-
-highly polar and binds cations (bcos enzymes to make peptidoglycan require Mg2+)
-allows G+ to tolerate higher salt environement concs
G- wall structure
- General enzymes (detox and other functions)
-Outer membrane: 1st virulence factor bcos it contains liposaccharide (O-side chain, core, lipid A)
structure and function of lipopolysaccharide
PRESENT IN G- WALLS, THREE COMPONENTS:
- O-side-chain: long polyS chain with ANTIGENIC properties (highly variable)
- Core polysaccharide: short central chian connecting 1/2
- Lipid A: endotoxin that contributes to virulence factors
Mycobacteria wall
-peptidoglycan
-myolic acids
-porins
!!structure doesnt allow easy entry of nutrients so growth is VERY slow, advantageous bcos it is very small and can be invisible to the system + hard for drugs to enter