Lecture 2- Year 2, BDS

By
Dr. Komathi Selvarajah
05.09.2018
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lecture, students should be able to:

1. Tabulate the differences between prokaryotic

and eukaryotic cell structures
2. Illustrate the structure of a typical bacterial cell
3. Explain the medical importance of the various
appendages of a bacterial cell
4. Differentiate between Gram positive and Gram
negative cell walls
 Eukaryotes & Prokaryotes
 All living cells can be classified as either prokaryotic
or eukaryotic
o Pro (primitive) and karyon (nucleus),
o Eu (true) and karyon (nucleus).

 Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane bound

nucleus
-eubacteria (true bacteria)
-archaebacteria(ancient bacteria)

whereas ,
eukaryotic cells have membrane bound nucleus
- Algae,Fungus,Protozoa,Helminths,animals & plants
Eukaryotic cell Prokaryotic cell
 Characteristics of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic
Characteristic Prokaryotic cell Eukaryotic cell
Average size Small cells (0.2-2µm) Larger cells (10µm-
100µm)
Nucleus No nuclear envelope or Membrane bound
nucleoli ,nucleoli present
Chromosome Usually single, circular Multiple
Membrane-enclosed Absent Present; examples
organelles Golgi complex,
endoplasmic reticulum,
mitochondria etc.

Cell wall Usually present; many Present in plant cells, no

contain peptidoglycan peptidoglycan
Ribosomes Ribosomes are small (70S) Ribosomes are large
(80S)
Cell division Binary fission Mitosis or Meiosis
Reproduction always asexual asexual or sexual
Structure of a bacteria
 Cell Wall
 Most prokaryotic cells are surrounded by a cell
wall .
 provides structure and protection from osmotic
forces.
 Cell walls are composed of polysaccharide chains.
 Composed of mucopeptide (muerin),scaffolding
formed by N.acetyl glucosamine & acetyl muramic
acid chain linked by peptide chain
Chains of NAG and NAM are attached to other chains by cross
bridges of four amino acids (tetrapeptides) (L-alanine, D-
glutamine, L-lysine, and D-alanine ).
Cytoplasmic Membrane:

Lies inside the peptidoglycan layer of the cell wall

composed of a phospholipid bilayer similar in
microscopic appearance to that in eukaryotic cells

Four important functions:

(1)Active transport of molecules into the cell,
(2)Energy generation by oxidative phosphorylation,
(3) Synthesis of precursors of the cell wall,
(4) Secretion of enzymes and toxins.
Ribosomes
Site of protein synthesis
they differ from eukaryotic ribosomes in size
and chemical composition.
 Bacterial ribosomes are 70S in size, with 50S
and 30S subunits
 Eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S in size, with 60S
and 40S subunits.
Plasmids
 Extrachromosomal
 Double-stranded
 Circular DNA molecules

 capable of replicating independently of the

bacterial chromosome.
 Plasmid carry the genes for:
1. Antibiotic resistance, which is mediated by a variety of
enzymes.
2. Resistance to heavy metals such as mercury (the active
component of some antiseptics, such as Merthiolate and
Mercurochrome) and silver, which is mediated by a reductase
enzyme.
3. Resistance to ultraviolet light, which is mediated by DNA
repair enzymes.
4. Pili (fimbriae), which mediate the adherence of bacteria to
epithelial cells.
5. Exotoxins, including several enterotoxins.
Spores
These highly resistant structures are formed in response
to adverse conditions when nutrients, such as sources of
carbon and nitrogen, are depleted.
Spore forming bacteria

 Bacillus, which includes the

agent of anthrax

 Clostridium, which includes

the agents of tetanus and
botulism.
 External Structures
External capsule and glycocalyx (both slime layer &
capsule)

Many bacteria secrete a sticky, viscous material that

forms an extracellular coating around the cell.
The material is usually a polysaccharide.

 Tightly bound to the cell and has an organized structure,

capsule.
 Loosely bound and amorphous,it is called a slime layer,
or glycocalyx.
 The capsule or glycocalyx

Allow cells to adhere to surfaces, protect bacteria

from antibodies and phagocytosis,

Act as diffusion barriers against some antibiotics

Capsules can also protect bacteria against

dessication or drying, which facilitates transmission.
The capsule is important for four reasons:

1. Protection against deleterious agent, eg.lytic

enzymes
2. Determinant of virulence of many bacteria.
3. Specific identification of an organism can be made.
4. Capsular polysaccharides are used as the antigens
in certain vaccines .
5. The capsule may play a role in the adherence of
bacteria to human tissues, which is an important
initial step in causing infection.
Medical importance of slime layer
It covers surfaces like a film and allows the bacteria to adhere firmly to
various structures, e.g., skin, heart valves, and catheters.

 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which cause respiratory tract infections

in cystic fibrosis patients

 Staphylococcus epidermidis and viridans streptococci, which

cause endocarditis.

 Streptococcus mutans plays an important role in the formation of

plaque, the precursor of dental caries.
 Appendages
• Many bacteria have hair like appendages that project
from the cell wall.
• Appendages:

flagellum (s), flagella pilus (s), pili(pl).

(pl)

Fimbrium (s)
Fimbiae (pl)
Flagella:
• Organ of locomotion e.g. E.coli, Salmonella, vibrio,
pseudomonas.
• long, semirigid, helical, hollow ,tubular structures
composed of several thousand molecules of the protein
flagellin.
• Composed of a filament, a hook, and a basal body.

E.coli pseudomonas
 Medical important of flagella:
1.Some species of motile bacteria, e.g., E. coli and Proteus
species, are common causes of urinary tract infections.

Flagella may play a role in pathogenesis by propelling the

bacteria up the urethra into the bladder.

2.Some species of bacteria, e.g., Salmonella species, are

identified in the clinical laboratory by the use of specific
antibodies against flagellar proteins.

3. Vibrio cholerae (darting motility) and Proteus species

(swarming growth in common culture media) are easily
identified by their characteristics motility pattern.
Pili (Fimbriae):
shorter and thinner than flagella composed of subunits
of pilin.

Hairlike filaments that extend from the cell surface.

They are found mainly on gram-negative

organisms.

function as attachment structures that promote specific

cell-to-cell contact

2 types :
1. Attachement pili
2. Sex pili
 Differences between Flagella & Fimbriae (Pilus)
Trait Flagella Pili
Length Longer & Curved Shorter & Straight

Form Thicker Thinner

Number One to numerous Numerous

Structural unit Flagellin Pilin

Function Organ of locomotion Organ of adhesion or

maleness.
Transfer of Cannot transfer genetic Sex pilus can transfer
genetic materials material genetic material
 Important roles:
1. Mediates attachment to cell surface- contribute to the
pathogenicity of certain bacteria. Greatly enhances the
bacteria's ability to attach to the host and cause disease
e.g. primary mechanisms of virulence for E.coli, Bordetella
pertussis, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria

2. Mediates attachment to two bacteria by forming

Conjugation tube through which genetic material is
transferred from donor to recipient cell.(This process is well
characterized in the gram negative bacillus Escherichia coli.)

3. Biofilm formation: fimbrial adhesin may play a significant

role in development of catheter associated K.
pneumoniae infections.
Bacterial essential cell components
Cell wall
Gram positive bacteria
(1) Peptidoglycan (murein,
mucopeptide)
(2) Teichoic acid & Lipoteichoic acid
(3) Polysaccharides
Gram negative bacteria:
More complex than gram-positive cell walls.
Consists three major parts.
(1) Outer membrane -Unique
(2) Periplasmic space
(3) Cytoplasmic membrane
Comparison of cell wall of gram-positive &
gram-negative bacteria
Component Gram-positive Gram-
cells negative cells
Peptidoglycan Thicker, Thinner, single
multilayer layer
Teichoic acids Yes No
Lipopolysaccharide No Yes
 Non-Gram-stainable bacteria
Unusual gram-positives
 Mycoplasmas
 Mycobacteria

Spirochaetes
 Treponema pallidum

Obligate intra-cellular bacteria

 Rickettsia
 Chlamydia
 Classification of Bacteria Based
on Gram staining
(Diagnostic Scheme)
Use Gram stain reaction
• GPC
• GNC
• GPB
• GNB
• Miscellaneous
Gram-positive cocci Gram-positive bacilli

Gram-negative cocci Gram-negative bacilli

 Based on morphology
Bacteria are classified by shape into three
basic groups: cocci, bacilli, and spirochetes
 ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF BACTERIAL CELL
WALL
Cell Features Functions
cpmponent
• Lies outside the • Barrier against external
peptidoglycan layer of gm(-) chemicals & enzymes
Outer ve bacteria. (eg, lysozyme).
membrane • Composed of • Lipid A: Toxic
lipopolysaccharides (LPS), component.
lipoproteins, & phospholipid • Polysaccharide: Major
surface antigen.

Cell • Lies inside the • Active transport.

membrane peptidoglycan layer of the • Energy generation.
cell. • Synthesis of precursors
• Composed of phospholipid of the cell wall.
bilayer & protein. • Secretion of enzymes
and toxins.
 ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF BACTERIAL CELL
WALL
Cell Features Functions
cpmponent
1. Located in cytoplasm • Protein synthesis
2. Composed of RNA and
Ribosome protein. Medical importance
3. 70S • Therapeutic significance:
Selective site of action of
antibiotics.
Area of the cytoplasm where bacterial chromosome is
located.

Nucleoid 1. No nuclear membrane

2. No histone
3. No mitotic spindle
Mesosome Invagination of cytoplasmic • Cell division.
membrane. • Secretion.
 ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF BACTERIAL CELL
WALL
Cell Features
cpmponent
Area between between plasma
membrane and outer membrane.
Periplasm Contents
1. Peptidoglycan.
2. Membrane derived
oligosaccharides (MDO).
3. Hydrolytic enzymes such as
phosphatase, nuclease.
4. Plasmid encoded b-
lactamase
5. Transport proteins,
6. Lipoproteins.
 ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF BACTERIAL CELL
WALL
Cell Features Functions
cpmponent
• Lies outside the • Barrier against external
peptidoglycan layer of gm (- chemicals & enzymes
Outer ) ve bacteria. (eg, lysozyme).
membrane • Composed of • Lipid A: Toxic
lipopolysaccharides (LPS), component.
lipoproteins, & phospholipid • Polysaccharide: Major
surface antigen.

Cell • Lies inside the • Active transport.

membrane peptidoglycan layer of the • Energy generation.
cell. • Synthesis of precursors
• Composed of of the cell wall.
phospholipid bilayer & • Secretion of enzymes
protein. and toxins.
 ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF BACTERIAL CELL
WALL
Cell Features Functions
cpmponent
1. Located in cytoplasm • Protein synthesis
2. Composed of RNA and
Ribosome protein. Medical importance
3. 70S • Therapeutic significance:
Selective site of action of
antibiotics.
Area of the cytoplasm where bacterial chromosome is
located.

Nucleoid 1. No nuclear membrane

2. No histone
3. No mitotic spindle
Mesosome Invagination of cytoplasmic • Cell division.
membrane. • Secretion.
 ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF BACTERIAL CELL
WALL
Cell Features
cpmponent
Area between between plasma
membrane and outer membrane.
Periplasm Contents
1. Peptidoglycan.
2. Membrane derived
oligosaccharides (MDO).
3. Hydrolytic enzymes such as
phosphatase, nuclease.
4. Plasmid encoded b-
lactamase
5. Transport proteins,
6. Lipoproteins.
 NONESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF BACTERIAL
CELL WALL
Cell Features Functions
cpmponent
Coating of molecules external to the cell wall, made of sugars
Glycocalyx and/or proteins. Two types: Capsule and slime layer
Capsule • Gelatinous layer, covering • Antiphagocytic factor.
entire bacteria. • Adherence factor.
• Composition: polysaccharide. Use
Example of capsulated bacteria: • Vaccine production.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, • Specific identification
Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bordetella by serological test
pertusis, Haemophilus influenzae,
Bacillus anthracis.
Slime layer Slime layer of polysaccharide Provide attachment to
secreted by certain bacteria. (eg. human cell, surface of
S viridans, S mutans) catheter, prosthetic heart
valve, and prosthetic hip
joint
 NONESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF BACTERIAL
CELL WALL

Cell Features Functions

cpmponent

Fimbria (pili) Hair like filament extend from • Attachment (N.

the cell surface. Gonorrheae)
COMPOSITION • Conjugation (Transfer
Protein subunit, pilin. of DNA material, drug
TYPE resistance.
1. Ordinary pilus • Antigenic (N.
Gonorrheae)
2. Sex pilus
 NONESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF BACTERIAL
CELL WALL
Cell Features Functions
component
Flagella are helical protein filaments of uniform • Movement.
length and diameter responsible for rapid free
Flagella swimming motility of many pathogenic Identification
bacteria. of bacteria by
COMPOSITION : Protein subunit, flagellin use of Ab
1.Monotrichous: Single polar flagellum, against
Vibrio cholerae, helicobater pylori; flagellar
2.Lophotrichous: Bunch of flagella at one protein.
or both pole, e.g., Sprillus minus;
3.Amphitrichous flagella: One flagella
present at each pole, e.g.,
Pseudomonas, campylobacter jejuni;
4.Peritrichous: Flagella distributed overall
entire cell, Salmonella, proteus.
 NONESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF BACTERIAL
CELL WALL
Cell Features Functions
component
• Located in Cytoplasm Antibiotic resistance &
• Extrachromosomal, double secretion of exotoxin
Plasmid stranded, circular DNA, capable
of independent replication.

Spore Highly resistant structure of

bacteria formed in response to
adverse condition and germinate
to vegetative form under suitable
condition.

Spores are formed by

1.Bacillus
2.Clostridia