unit 1 Flashcards
peptidoglycan
- found only in bacteria
- murein is the peptidoglycan contained in most bacterial walls
characteristics of gram negative cell wall
pink stain
* contains LPS
* outermembrane blocks passage of many molecules including certain antibiotics
gram positive cell wall characteristics
produce waxy mycolic acids found exterior to peptidoglycan
endospore
unique dormant form of bacterial cells that protect the bacterial genome when environmental conditions are unfavorable
what two types of bacteria produce spores
bacillus and clostridium
capsule
distinct, gelatinous, firmly attached to cell wall; may protect pathogens from phagocytosis
cell wall characteristics
confers shape and rigidity to the cell
protects from harsh conditions
helps withstand osmotic pressure to prevent lysis
prions
infectious proteins
* misfolded version of normal cellular proteins found in brain
bacteria
single-celled
prokaryotes
viruses
acellular
* core: DNA or RNA (never both)
* obligate intracellular parasite
mold
multicellular fungi
yeast
single-celled fungi
protozoa
single-celled parasites
helminths
parasitic worm
PCR
uses sequnce-specific primers to amplify selected sequences