Unit 4a Flashcards
(166 cards)
Peptidoglycan layer
rigid mesh, surrounds cytoplasmic membrane
Peptidoglycan → allows for maintenance of shape and resistance of osmotic pressure
Unique and required bacterial structure
Great target for many antibiotics
Recognized by host innate immune system
Structure of peptidoglycan layer
Polymer of repeating units of 2 hexose sugars, crosslinked
N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)
N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc): linked to tetrapeptide chains with AA unique to bacterial cell walls
Capsules
gelatinous outer surface layer, coats surface of bacterial cells
Consist of complex polysaccharides
Function: Enhance virulence, resist phagocytosis
Antigenic (used in vaccines)
-Protein-capsular polysaccharide CONJUGATE vaccine may be required to vaccinate young children
Glycocalyx
form microbial biofilms (communities of bacteria)
“Slime layer” connects/embeds bacteria together/to surfaces
Protects cells from phagocytosis, host defenses (complement, antibody, defensins), limits access of abx to cells embedded in “slime layer”
Flagella
Originate in cytoplasmic membrane
Function in motility, bacterial chemotaxis
Peritrichous = flagella distributed over their surface Polar = one/many flagella at one end
Move in a rotation: Run and Tumble based on direction of rotation
Antigenic (H antigens) - used in vaccines
Pili
long slender, proteinaceous antigenic, hair-like structure on surface of bacteria
Role in adherence to surfaces/tissues
Antibody can block adherence/confer resistance to infection
Sex pili → role in bacterial conjugation
Bacterial Secretion Systems
deliver proteins from cytoplasm of bacteria directly to target cell → alter cell function (alter actin cytoskeleton, host signaling, transcription)
Bacterial cytoplasmic membrane
- physiological barrier between inside/outside of bacterial cell
- Lipid bilayer (phospholipids, proteins (60-70%), NO sterols)
-Selective permeability
Only permeable to uncharged, hydrophobic molecules, smaller than glycerol
Contains electron transport system → generate proton motive force during respiration
Bacterial cytoplasm
aqueous solution, proteins + metabolites
-contains DNA (no nuclear membrane)
Bacterial ribosomes
70S, mRNA can be polycistronic
Bacterial nucleoid
DNA of bacteria located in this distinct region
DNA tightly packed, supercoiled
No nuclear membrane → transcription/translation coupled
Bacterial chromosome
single ds-circular DNA
Bacterial plasmid (4)
extrachromosomal, self-replicating, DNA molecules
Smaller than chromosomes
Not essential for viability
R Factors: genes that carry resistance to antibiotics
Bacteriophages
viruses that infect bacteria
Can integrate into bacterial chromosomes and replicate as part of the chromosome
Gram+ bacteria
Thick, extensively cross-linked peptidoglycan layer, also contains:
- teichoic acids
- Lipoteichoic acids
Techoic Acids
repeating polyglycerol-P or polyribitol-P backbone covalently attached to peptidoglycan layer
-embedded in peptidoglycan layer of gram + bacteria
Lipoteichoic acids
attached to underlying cytoplasmic membrane - anchors cell wall to membrane
present in gram+ bacteria
Function of teichoic acids (3)
1) Ion homeostasis
2) Adherence and colonization
3) Interacts with innate immune system through TLR for bacterial recognition and inflammation
Gram + stains ______, while gram - stains _______
purple
red
Bacterial endospores
Produced by some G+ bacteria (Clostridium, Bacillus)
Dormant (non-growing, non-metabolising) - resting stage to endure tough times - when environment improves it will grow
Highly resistant to environmental stresses, high temp, disinfectants, desiccation, oxygen
Gram- bacteria
Thin, sparsely cross-linked peptidoglycan layer with other major components on exterior of peptidoglycan
-Second outer membrane
What is contained in second outer membrane of gram-neg bacteria? (4)
asymmetric lipid bilayer
1) Lipopoilysaccharide
2) Lipoproteins
3) proins
4) phospholipids
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) made up of ______, ______, and ______ located exclusively on the _______ of the second outer membrane.
LPS can be recognized by _________
Lipid A (endotoxin) Core polysaccharide O side chain oligosaccharides (somatic antigens, O antigen)
outer leaflet
innate immune system –> inflammation and endotoxic shock
Bacterial growth
Growth via binary fission → two cells of equal size
All bacteria are thus the same “age”