Bacterial Structures Flashcards
Al bacterial cells must possess
cell membrane, genome, ribosomes, intracellular macromolecules, almost always a cell wall
Extrachromosomal elements (ECE)
plasmids or prophages may be present
Describe a bacterial ribosome
70S (50S + 30S)
What are 3 cell surface structures that may or may not be present on bacteria
Flagella, Pili, Capsules
dipococci
pair of cocci
streptococci
chain of cocci
staphylococci
cluster of cocci
antimicrobics may alter
cell morphology (shape and arrangement)
Flagella or antigen ____
H
Flagella is composed of
polypeptides - different than pili
Plain flagella
extend from the cell surface into the environment for motility
Endoflagella of spirochetes
internal structure that allow them to perform a corkscrew movement
Flagella function to
provide motility in liquid and some surface translocation
What allows flagella to propel?
sensory system control via chemotaxis
Virulence factor of flagella
motility with chemotaxis
H-antigen
flagella
Pili are composed of
polypeptide chain - different than flagella
Normal pili and sex pili
extend out from the cell surface into the environment
Pili functions to
aid in adherence to host, antiphagocytic, involved in surface translocation (pili type IV)
Sex pilus function
conjugation (spread of antibiotic resistance)
Another name for capsules
glycocalyx, exopolysaccharide (EPS), slime layer
Capsule is composed of
complex polysaccharides, simple sugar, or D-glutamic acid
O antigen
LPS
K antigen
capsule formed from simple sugar, complex polysaccharide, or D-glutamic acid
Biofilm
complex, 3-D structure, microcolony of bacteria or yeast, enmeshed in a mucoid exopolysaccharide film
Biofilm composition
exopolysaccharides and in some cases proteins (amyloid fibers)
Phenotypic changes of bacteria in biofilms
non-motile, persist even with antimicrobials, multi-drug resistant
the activation of biofilm formation involves
quorum sensing: sensing the density of the population and switching gene expression
Re-seeding from biofilm
some cells in the biofilm revert back to normal, therefore even if anti-microbials have been used the infection may return
How are cells released from a biofilm and when?
when the amyloid structural protein is broken down by D-A.A. when the situation dictates it
Biofilms function
adherence to host tissue and surfaces (surface colonization), protection against antibiotics and desiccation (Drying out)
surface colonization of biofilms allow them to
thrive in a moving environment
K antigen
capsular antigen
O antigen
LPS
Do gram positive bacteria have capsules?
They may or may NOT have capsules
Do gram negative bacteria have capsules?
They may or may NOT, O antigen + and K antigen - if no capsule, O antigen + and K antigen + is capsule differs from LPS, O antigen + and K antigen - if capsule is an extension of LPS
S-Layers
layer lying directly on cell walls, rigid layer with pores of fixed diameter
S-Layers are composed of
protein or glycoprotein
S-Layers function
resistance to C3b binding (resists complement mediated killing), prevents phagocytosis by PMNs
Translocation
passage through human cells to access new sites
Genera capable of Translocation
H. flu, S. pyrogenes, M. tuberculosis
Paracellular translocation
passage between cells to enter tissues
The ability to slide on solid surfaces is associated with
biofilm formation at least with Mycobacterium smegmatis
Polypeptides embedded in the lipid bilayer are stabilized by
divalent cations (Ca and Mg) and hydrophobic interactions with fatty acid moiety of phospholipids
Which genera of bacteria DO CONTAIN sterols?
Mycoplasma, helicobacter, ehrlichia, Anaplasma spp.
Cell membrane characteristics
permeable for transport, specific transport mechanisms for secretion of proteins (6 types), respiratory components, biosynthetic pathways, sensory and osmoregulatory mechanisms and chemotaxis
Type III transport system (injectosomes)
conserved multiprotein system that pathogenic gram-NEGATIVE bacteria use to insert protein toxins into cells
Respiratory components found in the cell membrane
ETC, ATP synthase, generating proton motive force
Cell membrane contains components for biosynthesis of
cell wall, cellular replication (septal ring)
The cell wall regulates osmotic pressure, such that the bacterial cell is ____________ compared to the environment
hypertonic
Chemotaxis mechanisms lie within the
cell membrane
The peptidoglycan layer in the gram positive cell wall is much ______ than the gram negative cell wall
thicker
Describe the peptidoglycan layer of the cell wall of gram-positive cells
thick peptidoglycan layer, covalently linked polysaccharides, lipoteichoic acid extend through the peptidoglycan layer, no outer LPS layer
Describe the peptidoglycan layer of the cell wall of gram-negative cells
thin peptidoglycan layer, no covantely linked polysaccharides or LA extending through, contains an outer layer of LPS, located within the periplasm
Cell wall function
maintain cell shape, shield from environment, virulence and toxicity factors
What portion of the cell wall is important in maintaining cell shape and providing mechanical strength
peptidoglycan layer
What portion of the cell wall determines the gram staining
peptidoglycan layer
Peptidoglycan layer composition
woven network of NAG and NAM (N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetylglucosamine)