Microbiology: A Systems Approach PowerPoint to accompany Microbiology: A Systems Approach Cowan/Talaro Chapter 4 Procaryotic Profiles: The Bacteria and Archaea Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
Chapter 4 Topics Cell Shapes, Arrangement, and Sizes External Structures Cell Envelope Internal Structures Classification
Relative size of a bacterial cell compared to other cells including viruses. Fig. 4.25 The dimension of bacteria
Cell shapes Coccus Rod or bacillus Curved or spiral Cell arrangements
Scanning electron micrographs of different bacterial shapes and arrangements. Fig. 4.23 SEM photograph of basic shapes.
Cellular shapes and arrangements are specific characteristics that can be used to identify bacteria. Fig. 4.22 Bacterial shapes and arrangements
Some bacteria (ex. Corynebacterium) have varied shapes called pleomorphism. Fig. 4.24 Pleomorphism in Corynebacterium
External Structures Flagella Pili and fimbriae Glycocalyx
Flagella Composed of protein subunits Motility (chemotaxis) Varied arrangement (ex. Monotrichous, lophotrichous, amphitrichous)
Different arrangements of flagella exist for different species. Fig. 4.3 Electron micrograph depicting types of flagella arrangements.
Three main parts of the flagella include the basal body, hook, and filament. Fig. 4.2 Details of the basal body in gram negative cell
The rotation of the flagella enables bacteria to be motile. Fig. 4.4 The operation of flagella and the mode of locomotion in bacteria with polar and peritrichous flagella.
Chemotaxis is the movement of bacteria in response to chemical signals. Fig. 4.5 Chemotaxis in bacteria
Spirochete bacteria have their flagella embedded in the membrane. Fig. 4.6 The orientation of periplasmic flagella on the spirochete cell.
Pili and fimbriae Attachment Mating (Conjugation)
Fimbriae are smaller than flagella, and are important for attachment. Fig. 4.7 Form and function of bacteria fimbriae
Pili enable conjugation to occur, which is the transfer of DNA from one bacterial cell to another. Fig. 4.8 Three bacteria in the process of conjugating
Glycocalyx Capsule Slime layer Protects bacteria from immune cells Enable attachment and aggregation of bacterial cells
The capsule is tightly bound to the cell, and is associated with pathogenic bacteria. Fig. 4.10 Encapsulated bacteria
The slime layer is loosely bound to the cell. Fig. 4.9 Bacterial cells sectioned to show the types of glycocalyces.
The slime layer is associated with the formation of biofilms, which are typically found on teeth. Fig. 4.11 Biofilm
Cell envelope Cell wall Cytoplasmic membrane Non cell wall Gram-positive Gram-negative Cytoplasmic membrane Non cell wall
Cell wall Gram positive cell wall Gram-negative cell wall Thick peptidoglycan (PG) layer Teichoic acid and lipoteichoic acid Acidic polysaccharides Lipids – mycolic acids - Mycobacteria Gram-negative cell wall Thin PG layer Outer membrane Lipid polysaccharide Porins
PG is a complex sugar and peptide structure important for cell wall stability and shape. Fig. 4.13 Structure of peptidoglycan in the cell wall
Structures associated with gram-positive and gram-negative cell walls. Fig. 4.14 A comparison of the detailed structure of gram-positive and gram-negative cell walls.
Mutations can cause some bacteria to lose the ability to synthesize the cell wall, and are called L forms. Fig. 4.16 The conversion of walled bacterial cells to L forms
No cell wall No PG layer Cell membrane contain sterols for stability
Mycoplasma bacteria have no cell wall, which contributes to varied shapes. Fig. 4.15 Scanning electron micrograph of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Cytoplasmic membrane Fluid-Mosaic Model Phospholipids Embedded proteins Energy generation Selective barrier; semipermeable Transport
Internal Structures Cytoplasm Genetic structures Storage bodies Actin Endospore
Cytoplasm Area inside the membrane About 80% water Gelatinous solution containing water, nutrients, proteins, and genetic material. Site for cell metabolism
Genetic structures Single, circular chromosome Nucleoid region Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) Ribonucleic acid (RNA) Plasmids Ribosomes
Most bacteria contain a single circular double strand of DNA called a chromosome. Fig. 4.17 Chromosome structure
A ribosome is a combination of RNA and protein, and is involved in protein synthesis. Fig. 4.18 A model of a procaryotic ribosome.
Inclusion bodies enable a cell to store nutrients, and to survive nutrient depleted environments. Fig. 4.19 An example of a storage inclusion in a bacterial cell.
Actin is a protein fiber (cytoskeleton) present in some bacteria, and is involved in maintaining cell shape. Fig. 4.20 Bacterial cytoskeleton
During nutrient depleted conditions, some bacteria (vegetative cell) form into an endospore in order to survive. Fig. 4.21 Microscopic picture of an endospore formation
Some pathogenic bacteria that produce toxins during the vegetative stage are capable of forming spores. Table 4.1 General stages in endospore formation
Classification Phenotypic methods Molecular methods Taxonomic scheme Unique groups
Phenotypic methods Cell morphology -staining Biochemical test – enzyme test
Molecular methods DNA sequence 16S RNA Protein sequence
The methods of classification have allowed bacteria to be grouped into different divisions and classes. Table 4.3 Major taxonomic groups of bacteria
An example of how medically important families and genera of bacterial are characterized. Table 4.4 Medically important families and genera of bacteria.
Unique groups of bacteria Intracellular parasites Photosynthetic bacteria Green and purple sulfur bacteria Gliding and fruiting bacteria Archaea bacteria
Intracellular bacteria must live in host cells in order to undergo metabolism and reproduction. Fig. 4.26 Transmission electron micrograph of rickettsia.
Cyanobacteria are important photosynthetic bacteria associated with oxygen production. Fig. 4.27 Structure and examples of cyanobacteria
Green and purple sulfur bacteria are photosynthetic, do not give off oxygen, and are found in sulfur springs, freshwater, and swamps. Fig. 4.28 Behavior of purple sulfur bacteria
An example of a fruiting body bacteria in which reproductive spores are produced. Fig. 4.29 Myxobacterium
Archaea bacteria Associated with extreme environments Contain unique cell walls Contain unique internal structures
Archaea bacteria that survive are found in hot springs (thermophiles) and high salt content areas (halophiles). Fig. 4.30 Halophile around the world