Bacteria (morphology-description) Flashcards
cytoplasmic membrane
this lipid/protein outer boundary of the cytoplasm regulates what goes in and out of the cell (permeability)
ribosomes
small RNA/protein particles required for protein synthesis
chromosome
large single strand of DNA that contains the “blueprint” for all cell structure and activity in regions called gene
plasmids
DNA that contains only a few genes and is exchanged between bacteria (codes for antibiotic resistance or virulence factors)
granules
storage bodies (may contain phosphates, iron, lipids,etc.)
cell wall
rigid structure (peptidoglycan +/- lipopolysaccharide) that protects against osmotic pressure damage and provides cell shape - cylindrical (bacillus); spherical (coccus); helical (spirillum)
capsule
polysaccharide “coatings” secreted by cells (adhesins)
flagella
long, thin protein (flagellin) polymers that provide motility
pili
long, thin protein (pilin) polymers that act as adhesins
endospore
thick-walled protective structures; highly resistant to adverse environmental conditions (high temperature, drying, O2, etc.)