Molecules of Life, Cell III

Question 1

Bacterial Fimbriae

Answer 1

Biofilms: bacterial colonies enmeshed in polysaccharide- rich matrix that shield bacteria from antibiotics

Question 2

Characteristics of cell wall:

Answer 2

• composed of sugar and amino acids (peptidoglycan)
• provides strength, rigidity and protection
• destruction of the cell wall can result in lysis of the cell

Question 3

What is the process of gram staining?

Answer 3

• dyeing system used to examine cell walls
• gram-positive cells look purple under a microscope: (cell wall has extensive amount of carbohydrate peptidoglycan
• gram-negative cells look pink: cell wall has a thin layer containing peptidoglycan +outer phospholipid bilayer