Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

First Aid: Microbiology Cards > Basic Bacteriology: Bacterial Structures and Taxonomy > Flashcards

Basic Bacteriology: Bacterial Structures and Taxonomy Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of peptidoglycan?

A

Function: Rigid support, protect against osmotic pressure.

Composition: Sugar backbone with peptide side chains cross-linked by transpeptidase

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of the cell wall/cell membrane of gram positive bacteria?

A

Function: Major surface antigen

Composition: Peptidoglycan for support. Lipoteichoic acid induces TNF and IL-1.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of the outer membrane of gram negative bacteria?

A

Function: Site of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]); major surface antigen

Composition: Lipin A induces TNF and IL-1. O polysaccharide is the antigen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of the bacterial plasma membrane?

A

Function: Site of oxidative and transport enzymes

Composition: Phospholipid bilayer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of bacterial ribosomes?

A

Function: Protein synthesis

Composition: 50S and 30S subunits

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of bacterial periplasm?

A

Function: Space between cytoplasmic membrane and outer membrane in gram-negative bacteria.

Composition: Contains hydrolytic enzymes, including beta-lactamases.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of bacterial capsules?

A

Function: Protects against phagocytosis

Composition: Polysaccharide (except Bacillus anthracis, which contains D-glutamate).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of bacterial pilus/fimbria?

A

Function: Mediate adherence of bacteria to cell surface; sex pilus forms attachment between 2 bacteria during conjugation

Composition: Glycoprotein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of a bacterial flagellum?

A

Function: Motility

Composition: Protein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of bacterial spores?

A

Function: Resistant to dehydration, heat, and chemicals

Composition: Keratin-like coat, dipicolinic acid, peptidoglycan.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of bacterial plasmids?

A

Function: Contains genes for antibitoic resistance, enzymes, and toxins

Composition: DNA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the function and chemical composition of bacterial glycocalyx?

A

Function: Mediate adherence to surfaces, especially foreign surfaces (indwelling catheter)

Composition: Polysaccharide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What cell wall structures are shared between gram-negative and gram-positive organisms?

A

Flagellum, Pilus, Capsule, Peptidoglycan, and Cytoplasmic Membrane.

(See figure page 120)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What cell wall structures are unique to gram positive organisms?

A

Lipoteichoic acid

(See figure page 120)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What cell wall structures are unique to gram-negative bacteria?

A

Endotoxin/LPS

Periplasm

(See figure page 120)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Name the genera of gram-positive and gram-negative cocci.

A

Gram positive: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus

Gram negative: Neisseria

17
Q

Name the genera of gram-positive rods.

A
  • Clostridium*
  • Corynebacterium*
  • Bacillus*
  • Listeria*
  • Mycobacterium (acid fast)*
  • Gardnerella (gram variable)*
18
Q

Name the genera of enteric gram-negative rods (bacilli).

(There’s lots!)

A

E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterobacter, Serratia, Vibrio, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Pseudomonas, Bacteroides

19
Q

Name the genera of gram-negative respiratory rods.

A
  • Haemophilus (pleomorphic morphology)*
  • Legionella (silver stain)*
  • Bordetella*
20
Q

Name the genera of zoonotic gram-negative rods.

A
  • Francisella*
  • Brucella*
  • Pasteurella*
  • Bartonella*
21
Q

Name the genera of branching, filamentous bacteria.
Are they gram-positive or gram-negative?

A

Gram-positive.

  • Actinomyces*
  • Nocardia (weakly acid fast)*
22
Q

What are the genera of highly pleomorphic bacteria?

If you see a pleomorphic bacteria, is it likely gram positive or gram negative?

A

Gram negative!

  • Rickettsiae* (Giemsa stain)
  • Chlamydiae* (Giemsa stain)

(Haemophilus is also pleomorphic - or a coccobacilli, and it’s also gram negative.)

23
Q

What are the genera of spiral bacteria?

Do these tend to be gram negative or gram positive?

A

Spiral = spirochetes. Tend to stain gram-negative.

  • Borrelia* (Giemsa stain)
  • Leptospira*
  • Treponema*
24
Q

What genus of bacteria has no cell wall?

A

Mycoplasma (does not gram stain)

25
Q

What is unique about mycoplasma plasma membranes?

A

No cell wall

Contain sterols

26
Q

What is unique about mycobacterial cell membranes/walls?

A

Contain mycolic acid.

High lipid content

First Aid: Microbiology Cards (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions