Intro to Bacteria Flashcards
Gram-Positive Bacteria
thick peptidoglycan in cell wall
have lipoteichoic acid
Gram-Negative Bacteria
thin peptidoglycan layer, have outer membrane (lipopolysaccharide)
Lipopolysaccharide
lipid A component or endotoxin. Harmful to host. Polysaccharide component contributes to antigenicity, may provide protective immunity and used as a component of vaccines
Flagella
filamentous structure on bacterial surface used for motility. Number and arrangement used for identification
Pili/Fimbria
small thread-like structures on bacterial surface that facilitate adherence to the host tissue through specific receptors and contribute to antigenicity
Capsule
outer coating made of polysaccharide. Help bacteria evade phagocytosis
Endospores
highly resistant dormant form on bacteria produced when exposed to adverse conditions. Found in gram-positive bacteria.
Flagella Significance
Virulence Factor
Fimbriae Significance
virulence factor, components of diagnostic tests and vaccines
Capsule Significance
virulence factor, component of diagnostic tests and vaccines
Endospore Significance
virulence factor, diagnosis, vaccines
Growth Phases
Lag, Log, Stationary, Death
Aerobic Bacteria
require oxygen for survival
Microaerophile
requires environment with low amount of oxygen
Capnophile
thrive in an environment high in CO2
Obligate Anaerobe
killed by oxygen
Aerotolerant Anaerobe
do not require oxygen but can survive in oxygen environment
Facultative Anaerobe
oxygen not required but can be used
Exotoxins
produced inside pathogenic bacteria as part of their growth and metabolism. Are secreted into surrounding medium following lysis. Gram-positive, heat labile
Endotoxins
lipid portion of lipopolysaccharide that are part of outer membrane of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria liberated when the bacteria die. Heat stable, can induce inflammation
Superantigens
produced by pathogenic microbes. Bind and cross-link indiscriminately to MHC Class II molecules on the macrophages and T helper cell receptor. Results in oligoclonal T cell activation and massive cytokine release
Biofilm
microbes come together in masses and cling to surfaces, produce extracellular polymeric substances and take in nutrients and form biofilm. Reduce antimicrobial susceptibility
Quorum Sensing
molecular communication systems to synchronize the expression of certain genes