Structure

Question 1

What structures can be found inside a prokaryotic cell?

Answer 1

cell wall
cell/plasma membrane
nucleoid DNA
plasmids
ribosomes
cytoplasm

Question 2

What structures can be found on the exterior of a prokaryotic cell?

Answer 2

glycocalyx
-slime layer
-capsule
cell extension
-flagella
-fimbriae
-pili

Question 3

What are examples of glycocalyces?

Answer 3

slime layer (spread out and irregular)
-prevents desiccation (extreme dryness)
capsule (gelatinous and thick)

Question 4

What are the benefits and harms of a prokaryotic capsule?

Answer 4

helps to adhere to surfaces

prevents engulfment by larger cells e.g. eukaryotic macrophages

prevents desiccation (extreme dryness) due to holding of water

it has a virulence factor i.e. able to cause disease
-may need specific antibody against capsule

Question 5

What are the differences between a Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria?

Answer 5

The difference is in their exterior cell wall:

• Gram -ve have a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exterior followed by a peptidoglycan layer (inside)
• Gram +ve have a peptidoglycan layer outside (makes up about 90% of wall)

Question 6

What is the plasma membrane made of or any membrane for that matter?

Answer 6

It has a phospholipid bilayer:

• hydrophilic heads
• hydrophobic tails

Question 7

What are nucleotides?

Answer 7

They consist of a nitrogenous base + a sugar backbone (either deoxyribose or ribose) + phosphate group (at least one).

Question 8

What is a nitrogenous base?

Answer 8

It is the smallest chemical constituent that forms nucleic acids.
E.g.
adenine (purine)
guanine (purine)
(PURE age)
cytosine (pyramidine)
uracil (pyramidine)
thymine (pyramidine)
(CUT the pyramids)

Question 9

What bonds do nitrogenous bases form?

Answer 9

Strong hydrogen bonds

Especially G-C because they form 3 H bonds compared to 2 in A-T.

Question 10

What is a nucleoside?

Answer 10

It is simply a nitrogenous base + 5-carbon sugar