Cell Shape, Size, and Arrangement Flashcards
sphere shape bacteria
Cocci (s., coccus)
sphere-shaped bacteria in pairs
Diplococcus
sphere-shaped bacteria in chains
Streptococcus
grape-like clusters
Staphylococcus
3-D cube bacteria
Sarcina
cylindrical-shaped bacteria
Rod or bacillus
very short rods
coccobacilli
resemble rods, comma shaped
Vibrios
rigid helices
spirilla (spirillum)
flexible helices
spirochetes
organisms that are variable in shape
pleomorphic
smallest microorganism
0.3 micrometer (Mycoplasma)
average rod
1.1 -1.5 x 2-6 micrometer (E. coli)
very large microorganism
600 x 80 micrometer (Epulopiscium fishelsoni)
Size-shape Relationship
- Important for Nutrient Uptake
- Surface to Volume Ratio (S/V)
- small size may be protective mechanism from predation
Bacterial Cell Organization
Cell envelope
Cytoplasm
External Structures
Layers of the Bacterial Envelope
Plasma Membrane
Cell Wall
Layers outside the cell wall
thin barrier that surrounds the cell and separated the cytoplasm from the cell’s environment
Bacterial Plasma Membrane
gatekeeper for substances that enter and exit the cell
Bacterial Plasma Membrane
Plasma Membrane is composed of amphiphatic lipids —
a. polar ends (hydrophilic)
b. non-polar tails (hydrophobic)
Peripheral proteins are
loosely connected to membrane; easily removed
Integral Proteins function
transport nutrients;
detector and pumps Hydrogen to generate ATP
Selectively permeable membrane
Plasma membrane
what molecules does plasma membrane selects to pass through
Small, neutral molecules
Cell Wall Functions
a. Confers shape and rigidity on the cell
b. Helps protect cell from osmotic lysis
c. Helps protect from toxic materials
d. May contribute to pathogenicity
Integrity of Gram + and Gram -: Hopanoid: Mycoplasma:
Sterol
rigid structure that lies just outside the cell plasma membrane
Peptidoglycan (murein)
stain purple; thick peptidoglycan
Gram positive
stain pink or red; thin peptidoglycan and outer membrane
Gram-negative
Peptidoglycan composed of two sugar derivatives called
N-acetylglucosamine
N-acetylmuramic acid
TRUE OR FALSE:
Peptidoglycan strands have a helical shape
TRUE
TRUE OR FALSE:
Peptidoglycan chains are cross-linked by peptides for strength
TRUE
interconnected networks
peptidoglycan sacs
TRUE OR FALSE:
Gram-positive cell walls does not contain teichoic acids (negatively charged).
FALSE, ‘cause they have them to maintain cell envelope, protect the cell from enviro substances and may be used to bind to host cells.
capsules and slime layers and S layer
Glycocalyx
Aid in attachment to solid surfaces
E.g., Biofilms in plants and animals
usually composed of polysaccharides; well-organized and not easily removed from cell; resistant to phagocytosis and protect cell from desiccation
CAPSULES
similar to capsules except diffuse, unorganized and easily removed; they may also aid in motility
Slime Layers
regularly structured layers of protein or glycoprotein that self-assemble
S-Layer
Gram-Negative: Outer membrane: Gram-Positive:
Peptidoglycan surface
S Layer Functions
A. Protect from Ion and pH fluctuations, osmotic stress, enzymes and predation
B. Maintains shape and rigidity
C. Promotes adhesion to surfaces
D. Protects from host defenses
E. Potential use in nanotechnology
Bacterial Cytoplasmic Structure
Cytoskeleton
Intracytoplasmic membranes
Inclusions
Ribosomes
Nucleoid and plasmids
Not common to all Bacteria (Cytoplasmic Structures)
Cytoskeleton
Plasmids
Intracytoplasmic membranes
plasma membrane and everything within
Protoplast
material bounded by the plasmid membrane
Cytoplasm
Homologs of all 3 eukaryotic cytoskeletal elements
Tubulin Homologues
Actin Homologues
Intermediate Filament
Tubulin Homologues
FtsZ - crosswalls
BtubA/BtubB - Stalk (Prosthecobacter spp.)
TubZ - encode by large plasmids
many bacteria; forms ring during septum formation in cell division
FtsZ
many rods; maintains shape by positioning peptidoglycan synthesis machinery
MreB
rare, maintains curve shape
CreS
observed in many photosynthetic bacteria and those with high respiratory activity
Plasma Membrane infoldings