Bacterial structure + Haemolysis

Question 1

Are plasmids required for growth and reproduction and what do they carry?

Answer 1

~ no

~ a selective advantage

Question 2

What are inclusions?

Answer 2

granules/stores of organic/inorganic material

Question 3

Name the four types of inclusions within bacterial cells.

Answer 3

~ glycogen
~ poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate
~ phosphate
~ sulphur

Question 4

Gram-positive cell wall

Answer 4

~ purple/blue
~big 90% peptidoglycan chunk
~ lipoteichoic + teichoic acid

Question 5

Gram-negative cell wall

Answer 5

~ red/pink
~ small layer of peptidoglycan
~ contains polysaccharides and lipopolysaccarides

Question 6

Mycobacterial cell wall

Answer 6

~ in-between gram +/-ve

~ v hard to break

Question 7

Bacterial Capsule

Answer 7

~ made of polysaccharides
~ offers protection (host + environment)
~ increases bacterial size

Question 8

S-layer

Answer 8

~ surface layer
~ part of cell envelope
~ monomolecular layer composed of identical proteins or glycoproteins

Question 9

Polar flagellum

Answer 9

flagellum at one end

Question 10

Monotrichous

Answer 10

one flagellum

Question 11

amphitichous

Answer 11

one flagellum at each end

Question 12

Lophotrichous

Answer 12

cluster of flagella at one/both ends

Question 13

peritrichous

Answer 13

flagella spread over entire surface

Question 14

Fimbriae

Answer 14

~ short, thin, hair-like, proteinaceous

~ used in recognition and attachment

Question 15

Pili

Answer 15

~ similar to fimbriae but longer and thicker

~ used for mating and attachment

Question 16

Beta haemolysis

Answer 16

~ breaks down the red blood cells and hemoglobin completely

~ leaves a clear zone around the bacterial growth

Question 17

Alpha haemolysis

Answer 17

partially breaks down the red blood cells and leaves a greenish colour (biliverdin) behind

Question 18

Gamma (Y) haemolysis

Answer 18

no haemolysis