Bacteria & Infections Flashcards
What are the different types of bacteria cell shapes
1) coccus (spherical)
2) bacillus (rod-shaped)
3) coco-bacillus (in one field coccus + in the other bacillus)
4) curved (comma shaped
5) spiral
Name classification for bacteria
Genius followed by species
Staphylococcus aureus
Structure of bacteria
1) Outer layer capsule (not in all)
2) Cell wall (characteristic of prokaryotes)
3) Cytoplasmic membrane
4) Nuclear material (no nuclear membrane) Nucloid nucleus like structure, not surrounded by membrane
Structure of capsule
Thick, viscous gel like material
Polysaccharid usually
What is the purpose of a capsule
Interferes with phagocytosis
Adherence to surfaces: it allows organisms to stick to surfaces because of mucoid
Cell wall structure
Tough structure that provides protection to the cell from the outside environment
Major differences between gram positive and negative bacteria (the thickness of the petodoglycan wall)
Do bacteria require organisms to survive
No, they are unicellular and do not require living tissue to survive
prokaryotic
Where is cytoplasmic membrane located in bacteria
Inside the bacterial wall in gram-positives and on both sides of the cell wall in gram-negatives.
What is the structure of the cytoplasmic/cell membrane in bacteria
Fragile thin structure but carriers most important function in the cell
What functions does the cell membrane have in bacteria
transport
osmotic pressure
active barrier
respiration (aerobic) ->
producing metabolic energy, since no mitochondria
synthetic processes included in cell wall
Secretions of hydrolytic exoenzymes: to hydrolyze nutrients to be taken inside the cell
Site of cation some antibacterial agents
What intracytoplasmic structures do bacteria have
1) Nuclear body (Nucloid): circular DNA, no nuclear membrane
2) Ribosome 70S
3) Plasmids (extrachromosomal DNA), these carry genetic material from one cell to another
4) Granular inclusion: necessary for growth and multiplication of cell
What is the purpose of flagella
Attaches to cell wall to provide motility for some species
Long and motile
Where are Pilli/Fimbriae typically found
Mostly in Gram negative species
Shorter than flagella
What is the function ofFimbriae
Important in adherence to surfaces acting as virulence factors
What is the function of Pilli
Important in transfer of bacterial and viral DNA
What are spores
specialized resting cells produced by some species
Highly resistant to physical and chemical agents
Where are spores located
central, terminal or subterminal
they have complex structures do to the layers outside the cell
How is sporulation induced
by unfavourable conditions and germination under favourable conditions
How do microogransisms cause infection
They need to attach/adhere to the host tissue
How do cells adhere to host tissue
Pili
fimbrae
capsule
specific membrane receptor sites (by surface molecules) called adhersins or ligands
Which bind specifically to host cell receptors
What does it mean by some bacteria have invasive qualities
Some bacteria can cause damage on the surface of tissues
however most need to penetrate into the tissues by escaping phagocytosis and antimicrobial drugs by living inside cells
When bacteria invade the host tissue what are they first faced by
A phagocyte of the host
They either are destroyed by phagocytes or overcome the host defence or destroy the host cell
What are the 3 ways that bacteria can destroy the host cells
- Causing direct damage at the site because the pathogen depletes the cell of necessities/nutrients of life
- By producing toxins and enzymes transported via the blood and lymph
- By producing hypersensitivity reactions
What toxic substances does bacteria produce
enzymes, exotoxins, & endotoxins
What is the purpose of enzymes
Breaks down substances
Leukocidin
an enzyme that lyses leukocytes/WBCs
Dead WBCs produce pus
Hemolysin
an enzyme that hemolyses RBCs by taking away their iron and eating it
Coagulase
An enzyme always present in body.
transforms soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin, creating a clot.
This protects them from phagocytosis.
Kinase
An enzyme always present in body
Breaks the clot formed around the bacteria to spread the infection.
How are toxins transported
By lymph and blood which can cause serious and fatal effects
What can toxins produce
fever, cardio disturbances, diarrhea, and shock
What are the two types of toxins
Exotoxin and endotoxin