Ch. 4 - Functional Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells Flashcards
Why is it important to know the average side of bacteria?
For identification (naming)
- genus, species
What unit of measurement is used for bacteria?
microns/micrometer
µm
Majority of bacteria are ___________, but some bacteria are _____________.
monomorphic
pleomorphic
Compare and contrast monomorphic from pleomorphic
monomorphic: one shape is present
pleomorphic: many shapes are present
What are some reasons as to why a culture may be pleomorphic?
- mixes culture of bacteria
- may be contaminated
Name the three basic shapes of prokaryotes
Coccus
Bacillus
- Coccobacillus
Spiral
- Vibrio
- Spirillum
- Spirochete
Describe the shape of:
Coccus
Bacillus
Coccobacillus
Vibrio
coccus: spherical/round
bacillus: rod-shaped/rectangular
coccobacillus: oval-shaped (still considered rod-shaped)
vibrio: comma-shaped
What shape of prokaryotic cells are capable of motility?
spiral (vibrio, spirillum, spirochete)
Compare spirilla/spirillum from spirochetes
Draw a picture of these (optional)
(include cell description, how cells move)
Spirilla/spirillum
- rigid cells
- short/thick cells
- loosely coiled cells
- cells move via flagella
Spirochetes
- flexible cells
- longer/thin cells
- tightly coiled cells
- cells move via endoflagella
Name the different cell arrangement of prokaryotic cells
Pairs: diplo-
Clusters: staphylo-
Chains: strepto-
EXCLUSIVE TO COCCI:
Groups of four (2x2): tetrads
Cube-like groups of eight (2x2x2): sarcinae (two tetrads stacked)
Be able to draw the arrangement and shape of specifically named bacteria (Ex: How would staphylococcus vs. streptobacillus look like?)
DRAW:
diplococci
diplobacilli
staphylococci
streptococci
streptobacilli
tetrads
sarcinae
refer to slide 5 of chapter 4
Be able to label the different prokaryotic cell structures.
Refer to blank PDF sheet provided by professor
Describe glycocalyx (in Prokaryotes)
Include: Location, characteristics, composition, function, and types/examples
Location
Layer external to cw
Characteristics
- Optional: may/may not be present
- Viscous (thick) & gelatinous
Composition
- Polysaccharides (carbs)
OR
- Polypeptides (protein)
Function(s)
Glycocalyx - Capsule (carb):
- Bacterium easily attaches to host tissue bc of sticky capsule (bc its sugar) = DANGEROUS
- Makes bacterium look bigger = escape phagocytosis
- EX OF ENCAPSULATED BACT:
Streptococcus mutans (mouth/teeth = cavities)
Streptococcus pneumoniae (largest capsule)
Types/Examples
- Capsule (carbs): thick, organized, attached to cw
- Slime layer (protein): thin, unorganized, loosely attached to cw
Draw the difference between a prokaryote cell with a glycocalyx capsule and one with a slime layer
Should have drawn capsule as thick, organized and tightly attached to cw
should have drawn slime layer as thin, unorganized, and loosely attached to cell wall
Describe Flagella/Flagellum (in Prokaryotes)
Include: Location, characteristics, composition, function
Location
- External to cell
- Found in some
bacilli/bacillus sprilla/spirillum
Characteristics
- Optional: may/may not be present
- Long, filamentous appendages
- Various arrangements
Composition
- Flagellin (protein) -> filaments -> flagellum
- Three parts: filament, hook, basal body
Function(s)
Flagella
- Move bacteria: locate nutrient source, escape phagocytosis
Flagellin Protein
- Act as “H antigens” (surface markers) to distinguish among different subspecies/strains of bacteria
Ex: E. coli O157:H7
Types/Examples
N/A
Is this bacteria capable of motility:
E. coli O157:H7
If yes, how are you able to tell?
Yes, because it has an H antigen. H antigens are found in flagellin protein which make up a flagellum. Flagellums function to move bacteria
Name the three parts to flagellum. Briefly describe them
If possible, draw it out and label the parts.
Filament: outermost region
Hook: attaches to filament to basal body
Basal body: anchors flagellum
Describe Axial Filaments/Endoflagella (in Prokaryotes)
Include: Location, characteristics, composition, function
Location
- Internal to cell (intracellular)
- In between outer mem. of cell wall and cell membrane
- Found in spirochetes
Characteristics
- Optional: may/may not be present
- Anchored at one end
Composition
- Proteins
Function(s)
Rotation of axial filament/endoflagella allows cell to move in corkscrew/sprial motion
Types/Examples
N/A
Describe Fimbriae (in Prokaryotes)
Include: Location, characteristics, composition, function
Location
- External to cell
Characteristics
- Hair-like appendages
Composition
- Proteins
Function(s)
- Allows for attachment
Types/Examples
N/A
Describe Pili/Pilus (in Prokaryotes)
Include: Location, composition, function, and types/examples
Location
- External to cell
Characteristics
N/A
Composition
- Proteins
Function(s)
- Allows “twitching” motility
- DNA transfer
Types/Examples
- Conjugation pilus (DNA transfer): Transfers DNA from donor cell to recipient cell, now making the recipient cell different
Describe Cell Wall (in Prokaryotes)
Include: Location, characteristics, composition, function
Location
- Outermost layer (if no glycocalyx present)
Characteristics
- Most bacteria have cw
- Varying amounts of peptidoglycan
- More peptidoglycan = thick; gram-positive bact. (violet)
- Less peptidoglycan = thin; gram-negative bact. (pink/red)
Composition
- Peptidoglycan (rows of carbs connected to proteins)
Function(s)
- Prevents osmotic lysis (cell rupturing)
- Gives structure to bacteria
- protects cell membrane
Types/Examples
N/A