Bacterial Shapes and Movement (Labster Lab Manual | P) Flashcards
What maintains the definite shape of the bacteria?
Their rigid cell walls
What is a flagellum?
A single tail-like structure of some bacteria
What is flagella?
1) A small cluster used for motility of some bacteria
2) It can rotate in a coordinated fashion, like a propeller
What happens when the cluster of flagella rotate in an anticlockwise direction?
It causes the bacteria to tumble randomly, instead of moving in a single direction
Is flagellum consists of multiple subunits?
Yes
What are the characteristics of fimbriae and what type of cells possess fimbriae?
1) These are short, fine, hairlike appendages, that are thinner than flagella
2) Many prokaryotes have fimbriae
What is the significance of fimbriae?
These are important for attachment to surfaces
What are pili (pilus: singular)?
1) These also protrudes from the bacteria (like fimbriae)
2) These are often larger than fimbriae and can pull the bacteria forward along a surface like a grabbing hook
What is the purpose of pili?
These typically facilitates twitching motility characterized by short intermittent jerky motions
What is the purpose of specialized pili?
These are involved in the transfer of genetic material from one bacteria to another
What is conjugation?
It is a process whereas there is a transfer of genetic material from one bacteria to another
Do bacteria have a brain center?
None
How do bacteria move (facilitator of bacterial movement)?
Via the principle of chemical cues from the environment of the bacteria. These chemical cues serves as the guide of the bacteria
What is the term for the movement of bacteria?
Chemotaxis
Can bacteria be attracted to different nutrients and environmental cues?
Yes
