Microbiology Chapter 4 Flashcards
Glycocalyx (structure)
Both
In prokaryotes, it may take
the form of a capsule, a
slime layer, or the matrix
of a biofilm
It’s made of sticky carbohydrates and
covers the plasma membrane (in
eukaryotes—it covers the cell wall in
prokaryotes). Promotes adherence,
resistance to dessication, resistance to
phagocytosis (thereby increasing
virulence), and cell-cell recognition
Flagella (structure)
Both
Promotes taxis (e.g., chemotaxis,
phototaxis). In prokaryotic cells the
flagellum rotates clockwise or
counterclockwise, but a eukaryotic
flagellum undulates in a wavelike manner
Chemotaxis
movement of a motile cell or organism, or part of one, in a direction corresponding to a gradient of increasing or decreasing concentration of a particular substance.
Phototaxis
Phototaxis (phototactic response) is the cellular behavior in which cells swim toward or away from the light source (positive or negative phototaxis, respectively)
Cilia (structure)
Eukaryotes
Short projections (like eyelashes) on the
outside of a cell. For locomotion or feeding
(sweeps fluid across the surface of the cell
to bring food in)
Axial filaments
(endoflagella)
(structure)
Prokaryotes
Specific to spirochetes. They are internal
flagella that are twisted around the
organism and allow it to move in a
corkscrew motion
Fimbriae (structure)
Prokaryotes (common in
Gram - bacteria; also
found in Gram + bacteria
and archaea)
Can be just a few or hundreds. Promote cell
adherence. Ex: Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Shorter and stiffer than pili
Gram + Bacteria
Bacteria that contain a thick cell wall.
Cell wall contains teichoic acid.
Appear blue or purple under a microscope.
Wall retains color.
Ex. Staphylococcus.
Do not have an outer membrane
Peptidoglycan is found within its cell wall.
Many types cause diseases that require specific antibiotics.
Gram Negative Bacteria
Bacteria that contain thin cell wall
The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria contains lipopolysaccharide.
Do not hold the dye well.
may appear red under the microscope because red-pink iodine is used alongside the Gram stain as a control.
far thinner layer of peptidoglycan
Have an outer membrane
bacteria are more challenging to treat
Pili
Prokaryotic
1 or 2 per cell. Involved in motility and the
transfer of plasmid DNA (“conjugation”).
Conjugation
the process by which one bacterium transfers genetic material to another through direct contact. During conjugation, one bacterium serves as the donor of the genetic material, and the other serves as the recipient. The donor bacterium carries a DNA sequence called the fertility factor, or F-factor.
Through sex pilus that connects the two cells
Cell Wall
Both
Most prokaryotes and
some eukaryotes (fungi,
plants, and algae)
Give shape to the cell and affect transport
of materials in/out of the cell.
Bacteria =peptidoglycan.
Fungi = chitin
Plants and algae = cellulose.
Peptidoglycan
BACTERIA
a substance forming the cell walls of many bacteria, consisting of glycosaminoglycan chains interlinked with short peptides.
Chitin
FUNGI
a fibrous substance consisting of polysaccharides and forming the major constituent in the exoskeleton of the cell walls of fungi.
Cellulose
PLANTS AND ALGAE
an insoluble substance which is the main constituent of plant cell walls and algae. It is a polysaccharide consisting of chains of glucose monomers.
Plasma membrane
Both
Cell-cell recognition,
transport of substances in/out of the cell. Phospholipid bilayer.
Eukaryotic membranes and those
of mycoplasmas are reinforced with special sterols.
Phospholipid Bilayer
Consists of two layers of phospholipids,
Hydrophobic, or water-hating, interior
Hydrophilic, or water-loving, exterior.
The hydrophilic (polar) head group
hydrophobic tails (fatty acid chains)
Transport proteins
Both
Integral membrane proteins (i.e., cross the
entire lipid bilayer) that can move (usually
large and/or polar) substances in/out of a
cell.
Lysosomes
Lysosomes
Contain dozens of different digestive
enzymes; used to break down various
substances brought into the cell by
endocytosis (e.g., phagocytosis or
pinocytosis) so a cell can reuse their parts.
Phagocytosis
the ingestion of bacteria or other material by phagocytes and amoeboid protozoans.
Pinocytosis
the ingestion of liquid into a cell by the budding of small vesicles from the cell membrane
Cytoskeleton
Both
Provides support and shape to a cell;
assists in transporting substances or
organelles throughout the cell. Can be
altered to allow cells to move
Nucleoid region
(structure)
Prokaryotes
Where the (usually) circular chromosome
is found. It is supercoiled around specific
proteins. Plasmids are not generally found
here.
Plasmids (Structure)
Prokaryotes
a genetic structure in a cell that can replicate independently of the chromosomes, typically a small circular DNA strand in the cytoplasm of a bacterium or protozoan. Plasmids are much used in the laboratory manipulation of genes.
Small extrachromosomal genetic elements that aren’t vital to survival. They can be useful when they carry genes for antibiotic resistance or toxin production. Can be passed between cells via conjugation
Chromosome (structure)
Both
Holds the genetic information for the cell
(i.e., instructions for making proteins).
It is DNA in a complex with proteins (histones in eukaryotes).
Prokaryotes = usually circular;
eukaryotes = multiple linear molecules of DNA
Nucleus (organelle)
Eukaryotes
Contains the DNA (+ histones). Has a
double membrane called a nuclear
envelope. Where protein synthesis begins
(specifically, transcription).
Histones
any of a group of basic proteins found in chromatin.
Ribosomes (structure)
Both
Scaffolds upon which proteins are made.
In eukaryotes, can be free in the cytosol or
attached to another organelle (the rough
ER).
Rough endoplasmic
reticulum (organelle)
Eukaryotic
Extends from the nucleus. Processes and
transports proteins made by the attached
ribosomes to the Golgi complex. Also
makes lipids.
Smooth endoplasmic
reticulum (organelle)
Eukaryotic
Extends from the rough ER. Does not have
ribosomes on the surface. Synthesizes
lipids, including steroids.
Golgi complex
(apparatus)
Eukaryotic
Further processes proteins from the rough ER and sends them to their final
destination (plasma membrane, secretion
from the cell via the plasma membrane, or the lysosomes).
Inclusions or inclusion
bodies (structure)
Prokaryotes
Storages units for items the cells need.
Review the types in your book. Can be
useful clinically in identification
Chloroplasts (organelle)
Eukaryotes (algae and plants)
Photosynthesis (will be important for
chapter 27; see also Lynn Margulis in
chapter 4).
Mitochondria (organelle)
Eukaryotes
ATP (energy) production via cellular
respiration. May have originated as freeliving prokaryotes (endosymbiotic theory).
Endospores (structure)
Prokaryotes
Certain genera (Clostridium and Bacillus);
formed when the environment isn’t
conducive to survival (sporogenesis); not
for reproduction. Cell is revived through
germination.