Bacterial Cell Structure Flashcards
What are the 3 ways bacteria are classified morphologically?
- Shape.
- Arrangement.
- Size.
What are the main shapes of bacteria (scientific terms)?
- Coccus.
- Coccobacillus.
- Bacillus.
- Vibrio.
- Spirillum.
- Spirochete.
- Pleomorphic.
In what 2 ways are the arrangement of bacteria described?
- Plane of division.
- Separation or not.
What is the shape of a coccus/cocci bacteria?
Sphere-shaped.
What is the shape of a streptococci bacteria?
Chain.
What is the shape of a staphylococci bacteria?
Grape-cluster.
What is the shape of a diplococcus/diplococci bacteria?
A pair.
What is the shape of a tetrad cocci bacteria?
4 in a square.
What is the shape of a sarcinae cocci bacteria?
Cubic configuration of 8.
What is the shape of a bacillus/bacilli bacteria?
Rod.
What is the shape of a coccobacillus bacteria?
Short rod.
What is the shape of a vibrio bacteria?
Comma-shaped.
What is the shape of a spirillum bacteria?
Rigid helix.
What is the shape of a spirochete bacteria?
Tight spiral.
What is the shape of mycelium?
Network of long, multinucleated filaments.
What is the shape of pleomorphic bacteria?
Variable in shape.
What is the smallest bacteria and what is its size?
- Mycoplasma.
- 0.3 um.
What is the size of an average rod bacteria?
1.1-1.5 um x 2-6 um.
ex: E.coli
What is a very large bacteria?
600-800 um.
ex: Epulopiscium fishelsoni
What is the protoplast?
The bacterial plasma membrane and everything within it.
What is the cytoplasm?
The gel material bound by the plasma membrane.
What is the cytosol?
The liquid portion of the cytoplasm.
What are inclusions?
Storage granules for organic or inorganic material for future use. Can provide the bacteria with metabolic abilities.
*Some are enclosed in a single-layer membrane.
What is the ribosome?
A complex protein/RNA structure that is the site of protein synthesis.
What is the nucleoid?
A non-membrane bound (w/exceptions) organelle where the chromosome and associated proteins are found in bacteria.
How is DNA stored in bacteria?
1 closed, circular, 2x stranded DNA molecule that is supercoiled.
What is a plasmid?
Extrachromosomal DNA found in archaea, bacteria, and some fungi.
What shape is a plasmid?
Small, closed, circular DNA molecule.
When are plasmids inherited?
During cell division.
*Exists and replicates independently of chromosome.
Why are plasmids important?
They normally give the host a selective advantage.
What is the one cell structure required for all living organisms?
A plasma membrane.
What are the functions of the plasma membrane?
- Act as a selectively permeable membrane.
- Encompass the cytoplasm.
- Interact with the external environment.
How does the plasma membrane interact with the external environment?
- Through receptors for detecting and responding to chemicals.
- Metabolic processes.
- Transport systems.
What is the plasma membrane made of?
A phospholipid bilayer intermingled with proteins.
*Compared to a mosaic.
What is unique about the phospholipid bilayer?
It is amphipathic due to having a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail.
What are the 2 types of membrane proteins?
- Integral.
- Peripheral.
What are the characteristics of an integral protein?
- Amphipathic, due to being embedded in the membrane.
- Carry out important functions.
What are the characteristics of a peripheral protein?
- Easily removed.
- Loosely connected to the membrane.
What are the functions of the bacteria cell wall?
- Maintain shape of bacterium.
- Helps protect from toxic materials.
- Helps protect from osmotic lysis.
- May contribute to pathogenicity.
What is the structure of gram positive bacteria?
- Thick peptidoglycan cell wall.
- Plasma membrane.
What is the structure of a gram negative bacteria?
- Outer membrane.
- Thin peptidoglycan cell wall.
- Plasma membrane.
What is peptidoglycan?
A rigid structure composed of a mesh-like polymer of two alternating sugars that form long chains. Lies just outside the cell plasma membrane.
What is peptidoglycan a target for?
Antibiotics.
What are the 2 sugars in peptidoglycan?
- N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG).
- N-acetyl muramic acid (NAM).
What links NAM and NAG?
- The peptide L-Ala-D-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala.
- Pentaglycine crosslinking.
What do peptidoglycan chains actually look like?
Tubes.
What color do Gram positive bacteria stain? Why?
- Blue or purple.
- When the thick peptidoglycan wall is dried out, the crystal violet-iodine complexes are trapped.
What color do Gram negative bacteria stain? Why?
- Pink or red.
- Due to the outer membrane sitting above the thin peptidoglycan wall, when the peptidoglycan wall is dried out, crystal violet-iodine complex can be flushed out.
Why is crystal violet readily absorbed into the bacteria?
Bacteria have a negative charge, while crystal violet has a positive charge.
What is the periplasmic space?
Space that lies between the plasma membrane and cell wall.
*Smaller in Gram positive bacteria.