Chapter 3: Bacterial Cell Structure Flashcards
• Bacteria are referred to as → prokaryotes
• Lack a membrane-bound nucleus, membrane-bound
organelles, and internal membranous structures
The problem is some bacterial groups do have their genetic material enclosed in a → membrane
• Some also have membrane-bound → organelles
Most common shapes ___ and ___:
cocci ; rods
Cocci
spherical cells, single cells or clusters
Rod (bacilli)
cylindrical shape
Less common cells shapes are
Spirilla, Spirochetes, Vibrio, and Pleomorphic.
Spirilla
rigid, spiral-shaped cells
Spirochetes
flexible, spiral-shaped cells
Vibrio
resemble rods, comma
shaped
Pleomorphic
organisms that are
variable in shape
Arrangement of cells is determined by what?
• Determined by plane of division
• Determined by whether or not there is cell →
separation
Diplococci
pairs
Streptococci
chains
Staphylococci
grape-like clusters
Tetrads
4 cocci in a square
Sarcinae
cubic configuration of 8 cocci
Common features of a bacterial cell
• Cell envelope - 3 layers: cell membrane, cell wall, capsule
• Cytoplasm – internal fluid
• External structures
Bacterial Cell Envelope
• Cell envelope – plasma membrane and all of its external
surrounding layers
Bacterial plasma membrane
encloses the cytoplasm and
defines the cell’s → shape
• It is a selectively permeable barrier
• Only allows certain ions and molecules to enter or
exit and prevents others
Fluid-mosaic model
states that membranes consists of
fluid lipids with floating proteins
Plasma Membrane Structure
• Lipids in the membrane are →
phospholipids
• Amphipathic – both polar and
nonpolar ends
• Hydrophilic – polar phosphate
ends interact with → water
• Hydrophobic – nonpolar fatty
acid ends are insoluble in water
and only associate with → one
another
Amphipathic
both polar and
nonpolar ends
Hydrophilic
polar phosphate
ends interact with → water
Hydrophobic
nonpolar fatty
acid ends are insoluble in water
and only associate with → one
another
Peripheral proteins
connected
to the membrane and are easily
removed