STUDY GUIDE FOR PROKARYOTIC CELL ULTRASTRUCTURE
Ultrastructure Composition
Cell Membrane 75% protein; 25% phospholipid
Distinct features:
Lipid bilayer; no sterols;
semipermeable
Cell Wall Peptidoglycan
components of monomer (derivatives
of glucose):
1. NAG (N-acetylglucosamine)
2. NAM (N-acetylmuramic acid)
Monomers are linked by pentaglycine
peptide bond; peptide bond in Gram
+ bacteria and amide linkage in Gram
–
Gram + : Thick (violet)
Gram - : Thin
Function
Selective barrier; has enzymes for
respiration (for electron transport
chain; ATP synthase); biosynthesis of
cell wall and cell membrane; contains
permeases which are for substance
uptake.
1. Gives form and shape
2. Limits growth
3. Prevents swelling/bursting
4. Protects against physical and
chemical damage
5. Imparts pathogenic and
immunological functions
A schematic of peptidoglycan’s
structure. The NAM and NAG sugars are
shown as green and blue spheres
respectively. The tetrapeptides linked
to NAM are cross-linked by a
pentaglycine peptide, shown as red
lines linking the D-glutamine (L) to the
D-alanine (A).]
Capsule Homo/heteropolymeric 1. Major defense against phagocytes.
polysaccharide 2. Has a role in cell to cell interaction
3. Prevents dehydration
4. Source of nutrition
Pili/Fimbriae Monomer is pilin. It is adhescent. Type I or common pili (short
attachment pilli) function for the
attachment of bacteria to surfaces.

Type II or sex pili allow for the DNA

exchange during bacterial conjugation,
the transfer of DNA from one
bacterium to another by cell-to-cell
contact.
Flagella Composed of the protein flagellin; Allows bacteria to move.
helical; motor; rotation
Nuclear Zone or Contains the bacterial chromosome Storage of genetic information;
Nucleoid Controls activities.

Plasmids Double stranded circular DNA. Has 5-100 genes that confer additional
(genophore is the DNA of a traits like antibiotic resistance;
prokaryote ).
Used as vector in gene manipulation
studies.
Ribosomes 65% RNA; 35% protein protein synthesis
Distinct configuration:
50s large subunit
30s small subunit
70s complex
Cytosol 80% water; 20% proteins Site for metabolic reaction
Storage Granules or Different Types: Reserved deposits; stored fuel
Inclusion Bodies Polysaccharide: starch, glycogen
Metachromatic granules (contains
phosphate), sulphur, cyanophycin
(contains nitrogen), carboxysomes
(contains Rubisco enzyme).
Cytoskeleton Actin Homolog: MreB, ParM, and Regulation of cell shape; cell division,
MamK cell polarity.
Tubulin Homolog: FtsZ and the
BtubA and BtubB Plasmid partition.
Intermediate Filament Protein
Homolog: Crescentin
Prokaryote Only: MinD/ParA
Homolog has the same evolutionary
origin as another but differs in
function.