Micro - Clinical Bacteriology Flashcards
What are the two functions of the peptidoglycan layer in bacteria?
Rigid support and protection against osmotic damage
What is the chemical composition of the bacterial peptidoglycan layer?
A sugar backbone with cross-linked peptide side chains
What is the major surface antigen in gram-positive bacteria?
Cell wall
Which two cytokines does teichoic acid induce?
Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1
What structure in gram-negative bacteria induces tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1?
The lipid A component of lipopolysaccharide
What is the major surface antigen in gram-negative bacteria?
Outer membrane (polysaccharide component of lipopolysaccharide)
Where is endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) located in gram-negative bacteria?
In the outer membrane
Which bacterium has a nonpolysaccharide capsule?
Bacillus anthracis (which has D-glutamate)
_____ are bacterial structures that mediate adherence to the host cell surface and
are composed of glycoprotein.
Fimbriae (pili)
What bacterial structure establishes attachment between two bacteria during
conjugation?
Sex pili
_____ are bacterial structures that provide motility and are composed of protein.
Flagella
What bacterial structure provides resistance to desiccation, heat, and chemicals?
Spores
What is the chemical composition of a spore?
Keratin-like coat and dipicolinic acid
What kind of genetic information is stored in the bacterial plasmid?
Genes for antibiotic resistance, enzymes, and toxins
What structure aids bacteria in adhering to foreign objects, such as indwelling
catheters?
Glycocalyx
What is the chemical composition of glycocalyx?
Polysaccharide
What structures are common to both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria?
Flagellum, pilus, capsule, peptidoglycan, and cytoplasmic membrane
What structure is unique to gram-positive organisms?
Teichoic acid
What structures are unique to gram-negative organisms?
Outer membrane (endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide)-lactamases in periplasmic space
What is between the capsule and peptidoglycan layers in gram-negative
organisms?
The outer membrane (which contains endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide)
What is the difference between the peptidoglycan layer of gram-positive organisms and that of gram-negative organisms?
The peptidoglycan layer in gram-positive bacteria is much thicker than that of gram-negative bacteria
What is between the inner cytoplasmic and outer membranes in gram-negative
organisms?
Periplasmic space (the location of many enzymes, including -lactamases)
Name the two major gram positive cocci.
Staphyloccus and Streptococcus
What are the major gram negative cocci?
Neisseria