First Half Flashcards
characteristics of prokaryotes
- small
- no membrane- bound organelles
- 1-2 circular chromosomes
- divide by binary fission
- 70S ribosomes
- complex cell walls
- rudimentary cytoskeleton
- simple appendages
characteristics of eukaryotes
- larger
- membrane-bound organelles
- multiple linear DNA with histones
- divide by mitosis
- 80S ribosomes
- simple cell walls (when present)
- complex cytoskeleton
- complex appendages
similar feature in prokaryote and eukaryote cell structure
- cytoplasm
- DNA
- cell division
- ribosomes
- cell wall
- cytoskeleton of some form
they “typical” prokaryotic cell
- cytoplasm is a gel-like network
- 70S ribosomes and NO mitochondria
- nucleoid contains the bacterial chromosome
- have 1 or several plasmids present
- thick/complex cell wall
- motile bacteria have flagellum
what are Pili
small hairlike protein filaments used for motility, attachmet and exchange of genetic material
- pathogens use them to attach to and hosts so they can invade
- sex pili: transfer DNA during conjugation from donor to recipient
what are stalks
extensions of the cell envelope and cytoplasm
- secrete adhesion factors to form “holdfast” to attach bacterium in envelope
- allows formation of biofilms in water streams
what are flagella
helical bacterial “tails” used for motility
- not all bacteria have them
- arrangements allows them for swimming the direction they need to go
- can use formation to tell microbes apart
what is the nucleoid
contains most prokaryotic genetic material, not membrane bound
- 1-2 chromosomes, typically haploid
- DNA is packaged into supercoiled domains by NAPs
- may also contain extrachromosomal DNA that is found in plasmids
what are plasmids
are extra-chromosomal DNA elements typically not required for “everyday” survival, replicate autonomously
- smaller than chromosomes
- circular double stranded DNA
horizontal gene transfer
transfer of genetic material between organisms, outside of traditional reproduction
- exclusive to prokaryotes
types of horizontal gene transfer
- transformation
- transduction
- conjugation
vertical gene transfer
transmission of genes from the parental generation to the offspring by asexual reproduction
- e.g. binary fission
transformation
allows cell to uptake DNA from the environment
transduction
allows DNA to transfer through bacteriophages that infect bacteria
conjugation
allows bacteria to directly transfer DNA between cells via pili
prokaryotic ribosomes
- made up of a large and small subunit
- smaller weight than eukaryotes (70S vs 80S)
cell membrane
- anchor site for proteins
- selectively facilitates transport in and out of the cell
- site for proton motive force for energy conversion (ATP synthesis)
proton motive force
electrochemical gradient of protons drives ATP synthesis from ADP at the F1F0-ATP synthase
membrane phospholipids
- prevent free movement of polar or charged molecules across the membrane
- amphipathic
- vary in their head groups and fatty acid side chains
saturated side chains of phospholipids
- only single bonds
- melt at higher temp, increase order/rigidity
- Better for organisms in warm environments
unsaturated side chains of phospholipids
- contains one or more double bonds
- melt at lower temp, increase fluidity
- Bette for organisms in cold environments
membranes also include planar molecules that fill gaps between hydrocarbon chains…
help control membrane structure
- in eukaryotes = sterols
- in bacteria = hopanoids
- in other prokaryotes they are a mix of these different membrane lipids and hopanoid
bacterial vs. Archaea membrane
lipid tail:
Bacteria = straight chains of fatty acid without branches
archaea = long, branched isoprene chains with a methyl side chain every 4 carbons
Bond that joins lipid tail to glycerol:
Bacteria = glycerol-ester-lipids
Archaea = glycerol-ether-lipids
- enantiomers of each other
- archaea can be monolayer or bilayer
types of membrane proteins
- membrane-spanning proteins (integral)
- Membrane-anchored proteins
- Peripheral membrane proteins
functions of membrane proteins
- structure
- detection of signals
- secrete factors for communication
- ion transport and energy generation - electron transport
3 transport mechanisms across the membrane
- diffusion (simple and facilitated)
- active transport
- osmosis
diffusion across the membrane
Simple
- small uncharged molecules easily pass through
- Substrate moves DOWN its concentration gradient directly through the membrane
Facilitated
- integral memb proteins form membrane spanning channels
- Substrate moves DOWN its concentration gradient
- Premiase opens to bind the substrate then closes as it moves through
active transport
- requires input of energy
- coupled substrate transport is most common - export 2 different substrates simultaneously
- Energy released by one substrate moving down its gradient is used to move a different solute UP its gradient
symporters vs antiporters
symporter: move 2 molecules in the same direction
antiporter: move 2 molecules in the opposite direction
ABC transporters
- a type of active transport
- ATP-binding-cassette, biggest family of ATP dependent transport
2 types…
uptake ABC transporters: transport nutrients
Efflux ABC transporters: are used as multi drug efflux pumps
osmosis
- same principle as diffusion but specific to water
- Water moves from region of lower concentration of solutes to higher concentration
- facilitated by aquaporins
cell envelope
protective layer for most prokaryotes, includes cell wall and associated layers
exception: Mycoplasma species = no cell envelope
bacterial cell wall
- made up of peptidoglycan sugar chains and cross-bridges
- peptidoglycan consists of alternating units of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)
- NAM is bound to a short peptide that crosslinks to connect the parallel glycan strands
peptidoglycan
- unique to bacterial cell walls - good target for antibiotics
- provides structure and support
antibiotics that target peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls
Penicilin: inhibits the transpeptidase that cross-links the peptides
Vancomycin: prevents cross-bridge formation by binding to d-Ala-d-Ala dipeptide
Cross-linking differs between cell walls of gram-positive and gram-negative…
gram-positive: peptides in neighbouring chains are bound to each other by another peptide (pentapeptide and tetrapeptide)
gram-negative: direct link
thickness or gram-positive and negative bacterial cell wall
gram-positive: thick cell wall - thicker peptidoglycan layer, no outer membrane
Gram-negative: thin cell wall, has outer membrane
Mycobacteria: complex multilayered cell wall - extra associated proteins and lipids, can differentiate by staining for mycelia acids
structure of gram-positive bacteria
- cell wall has multiple layers of peptidoglycan
- Some have an additional cell capsule exterior to the cell wall - made of polysaccharides and glycoprotein (protect from phagocytosis)
pros and cons of gram-positive bacteria structure
Pros
- gram stain purple
- Strong: very thick cell wall with added strength due to threading
- Protection agains osmotic lysis
Cons
- susceptible to lysozyme and other things that attack the cell wall, which is readily accessible
- More susceptible to antibiotics than gram-negative
examples of gram-positive bacteria
- Bacillus cereus
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Sthaphylococcus aureus
structure of gram-negative bacteria
- 2 membranes separated by periplasm that contains peptidoglycan
- outermembrane has lipopolysaccharides (LPS)
- outermsmbrane contains porins
- Lipoproteins on OM that anchor peptidoglycan in place
lipopolysaccharides (LPS)
- present in gram-negative outer membranes
- works as an endotoxin: harmless when pathogen is intact, but become toxic and activate immune response when released from a lysed cell
- used for stereotyping (classification of species)
3 regions of LPS as a permeability layer
- O-antigen: repetitive polysaccharide (varies by strain)
- Core polysaccharide (conserved)
- Lipid A: anchors core polysaccharide to outer membrane
pros and cons of gram-negative bacteria structure
Pros
- OM is an excellent selective barrier
- Able to defend itself agains a wide range or toxic molecules
- Peptidoglycan is protected
Cons
- energetically expensive to build and maintain
- Usually have larger genomes - genes for outer membrane components
examples of gram-negative bacteria
- Escherichia coli
- treponema pallidum
Mycobacteria
- complex envelope structure
- Characteristics of both gram positive and negative and its own features
- Extreme resistance to environmental impacts
components unique to mycobacteria
mycolic acids: Cell wall consists of hydrophobic “waxy” mycomembrane tech in mycolic acids
arabinogalactan polysaccharide: holds together the mycolic acid layer and peptidoglycan layer of the cell wall
pros and cons of mycobacteria cell structure
Pros
- thick, waxy outer mycomembrane
- Resistance to dryness, osmotic stress, detergents, antiseptics, many antibiotics, phagocytosis
Cons
- grows slowly
- Cell envelope is energetically expensive to synthesize and maintain
Prokaryotic cell wall add ons
- S layer
- capsule
S layer
- monomolecular layer of identical proteins of glycoproteins
- fits together like tiles
- flexes at central pores in subunits to allow movement of molecules
- additional protection against osmotic stress, viruses and predators
- assists adherence and biofilm formation
difference between S layer in gram negative and positive
gram positive: S layer is below the glycosyl chains
gram negative: s layer is the most exterior layer
Archaeal cell wall features different from bacteria
- no peptidoglycan
- have a proteinaceous S-layer considered a part of the cell wall
- a few species contain pseudomurein with NAT rather than NAM - forms stronger peptide interbridges
- methanochondroitin is a cell wall polymer in some archaea
what is the capsule
- coat of polysaccharides loosely bound to the cell envelope - binds water to form a hydration layer
- can occur in gram negative and positive
- found external to S layer if they exist together
- functions: prevent phagocytosis, assist with adherence, protect from dehydration
what are thylakoids
- membrane structures in the cytosol of bacteria that maximize photosynthetic capability
- only available in gram negative phototrophs (e.g cyanobacteria)
what are carboxysomes
- found in cytosol of gram negative bacteria
- polyhedral-shaped selectively permeable protein shell containing CO2 fixing enzymes
- found in all cyanobacteria and some chemotrophs
Prochlorococcus Marinus bacteria
- marine cyanobacteria
- one of the earths most plentiful organisms
- responsible for 20% of oceanic photosynthesis
photosynthesis
- oxidation of water, with O2 produced as a by-product
- reduction of CO2 to form carbohydrates (CO2 fixing enzymes)
Gas vesicles
- allow microbes to float (aquatic phototrophs and some heterotrophs)
- collect gases produced by metabolism (H2 and CO2)
allow microbe to maintain a set buoyancy optimal to its preferred conditions in the water column
major phyla of the domain bacteria
- oxygenic phototrophs
- gram positive
- gram negative
- PVC super phylum
oxygenic phototrophs
- produce oxygen
- photoautotrophic prokaryotes
e.g. cyanobacteria
cyanobacteria as an oxygenic phototroph
- earths atmospheric oxygen comes from cyanobacteria
- contains chlorophyll and associated pigments: commonly appear green because of blue and red absorption
- also called “blue-green algae” for phycocyanin accessory pigments that some possess
cyanobacteria cell structure
- thylakoids (for photosynthesis)
- carboxysomes (to fix CO2)
- gas vesicles (to maintain buoyancy)
- heterocysts (to fix N2)
single celled and filamentous cyanobactreia
single celled include…
- synechococcus and prochlorococcus: most abundant in oceans
- microcystis: fresh water microbe, produces dangerous toxins
cyanobacteria in real life
- some may have red pigments
- some produce highly potent toxins
- used as food/dietary supplement
- used in production of eco-friendly renewable biodiesel/fuels
- can make bricks out of them
phylum apart of gram positive bacteria
- firmicutes (low GC)
- actinobacteria (high GC)
Phylum Firmicutes (gram +ve): order Bacillales
- consists of large rod-shaped cells
- B. subtitles = model system for gram positives
- B. anthracis = causative agent of anthrax, found in soil
- vegetable cells develop inert endospores in times of starvation and stress - released spores germinate in favourable conditions
Phylum Firmicutes: order clostridiales: genus Clostridium
- rod shaped cells, form endospore which swell forming a “drumstick”
- found in soil, can contaminate food
- species include: C. botulinum, C. retain, C. difficile
- botox is used to relax muscle spasms
non-spore-forming firmicutes
Staphylococcus
- facultative anaerobes
- cocci in clusters
Streptococcus
- aerotolerant
- cocci in chains
Phylum actinobacteria (gram +ve): order Actinomycetales
- form complex multicellular filaments resembling branched “fuzzy” of fungi
- streptomyces: soil dwelling organisms, obligate aerobes, major antibiotic producers - form hyphae and mycelia that fragment into spores
3 phylums of gram-negative bacteria
Superphylum proteobacteria
Spirochetes
Bacteroidetes
proteobacteria
consists of 5 major classes considered to be phyla: alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon
- all share common structure: triple layered gram-negative cell envelope (membrane, thin peptidoglycan, periplasm)
phylum alphaproteobacteria
- known as endosymbionts: nitrogen fixers at plant roots including Rhizobium
- rod-shaped with aerobic metabolism
- within the host cell the bacteria lose their cell wall and become bacteria’s specialized for N fixation
examples of alphaproteobacteria
Agrobacterium: plant pathogens closely related to the rhizobia
Rickettsias: obligate intracellular pathogens
- cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever, spread by ticks
- includes methane-oxidizing bacteria
Phylum Betaproteobacteria
- heterotrophic, require nutrient rich environment
Examples…
Neisseria gonorrhoeae: forms diplococci, causes gonorrhea
Burkholderia cepacia: major opprotunistic invaders of the lungs of CF patients
Phylum Gammaproteobacteria
- include enteric bacteria (toxic in lakes) that colonize the colon
- rod shaped, motile by flagella
- tolerant to bile salts
- facultative anaerobes & fermentation
- include methane-oxidizing bacteria
Examples: Escherichia coli, Salmonella Shigella, Campylobacter
Phylum Spirochaetes (gram -ve)
- heterotrophic bacteria
- consist of sheathed spiral cells with internal flagella (endoflagella)
Examples: Treponemea palladium (syphilis), Borrelia burgdoferi
Phylum Bacteroidetes (gram -ve)
- non-spore forming
- rod shaped
- aerobic and anaerobic species
- contains genera such as Bacteroides and Flavobacterium
- break down toxins in foods
- can be opportunistic pathogens`
what are expremeophiles
organism tolerant to environmental extremes
- primarily prokaryotes
- defined by environmental conditions they grow in
- some extremophiles adapt to multiple stresses, e.g. thermoacidophiles and haloalkaliphiles
defining extremophiles by their environment…
acidophilic: grow between pH 1-5
alkaliphilic: grow above pH 9
halophilic: grow in high salt concentrations
thermophilic: grow between 60-80 degrees
psychrophilic: grow at 15 degrees or lower
endolithic: grow within rocks
barophilic: grow at high hydrostatic pressure
xerophilic: grow in dry conditions
bacterial thermophiles
- have similar physiology to archaea and are found in the same habitats
- fast growth rates and high rates of mutation
- most are hypertherophiles (grow at 70-95 degrees)
- extensive horizontal transfer of archaea genes
examples of bacterial thermophiles
aquifex pyrophilus: flagellated rod
thermocrinis ruber: forms filamentous mats in hydrothermal vents
Thermotoga maritima: uses anaerobic respiration, respired on sulfur
archaea genomes
- resemble those of bacteria in gene size and density
- certain tRNA genes are interrupted by introns
- DNA and RNA polymerases and TFs are similar to those in eukaryotes
- histone homologs
- large portions derived from bacteria by horizontal gene transfer