Cell surface structure, Endospores and Flagella Flashcards
Lectures 5-15
What are capsules and slime layers composed of? What is their function?
They're made of Polysaccharide / protein layers May be thick or thin, rigid or flexible Assist in attachment to surfaces Protect against phagocytosis Resist desiccation (loss of water)
What is a benefit to the sticky layer of capsules and slime layers?
Helps spread disease.
What structure is a filamentous protein structure which enables organisms to stick to surfaces or form pellicles (thin membrane)?
Fimbriae
What structure has a filamentous protein structure, is typically longer than fimbriae and assists in surface attachment?
Pili
What is the function of Pili?
Facilitate genetic exchange between cells (conjugation)
Type IV involves twitching motility
What are cell inclusion bodies?
Visible aggregates in cytoplasm
Carbon storage polymers
-Poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB): lipid
-Glycogen: glucose polymer
What are the type(s) of inclusion bodies?
Polyphosphates: accumulations of inorganic phosphate
Sulfur globules: composed of elemental sulpher
Magnetosomes: magnetic storage inclusions
What is the function of carbon storage polymers?
Poly-b-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)
-Lipid storage
Glycogen granules
-Polymer of glucose
What is the function of inorganic inclusions?
Polyphosphate granules – volutin
-Storage of phosphate and energy
Sulpher Globules
-Storage of sulfur used in energy generation
What are the intracellular granules of Magnetosomes composed of?
Fe3O4 or Fe3S4
What properties do Fe3O4 and Fe3S4 give Magnetosomes? Due to this where do the Magnetosomes migrate?
It gives them magnetic properties. This allows Magnetosomes to orient itself in a magnetic field
Bacteria migrate along Earth’s magnetic field- magnetotaxis
What are gas vesicles? Where are they found?
Spindle-shaped, gas-filled structures made of protein. They are found in planktonic cells.
What is the function of gas vesicles? What is special about them?
Their function is conifer buoyancy- this allows them to stay in a certain water body spot to maximize their sunlight absorption. The vesicles Function by decreasing cell density, and they are impermeable to water.
What are endospores? What are their characteristics?
Endospores are highly differentiated cells resistant to heat, harsh chemicals, and radiation.
They are the dormant stage of a bacterial life cycle, and it is ideal for them to be dispersed by animals, wind, water or animal gut.
True or False: endospores are found in all bacteria.
False: endospores are found in some gram positive bacteria.
True or False: something is sterile only if all endospores are destroyed.
True
Which gram+ bacteria produce endospores?
Bacillus sp. – aerobic Gram + rods
Clostridium sp. – anaerobic Gram + rods
What is the term used to describe a cell that is capable of normal growth and metabolically active?
Vegetative cell
Where is a endospore formed?
An endospore is metabolically inactive dormant cell that is formed inside the mother cell.
What triggers the formation of endospores? How long does it take for endospores to form?
Lack of nutrients triggers the formation of endospores. It takes 8-10 hours for them to form.
What are the protective layer(s) of the endospore? What are their characterisitcs?
Layers:
-Spore coat and cortex – protect against chemicals, enzymes, physical damage, and heat
-Two membranes – permeability barriers against chemicals
Core:
-Dehydrated – protects against heat
-Ca-dipicolinic acid and SASPs
-Protect against DNA damage