Bacterial Morphology and Cell Structure

PROKARYOTIC vs EUKARYOTIC

BACTERIAL MORPHOLOGY

BACTERIAL MORPHOLOGY: ARRANGEMENT

1. Rod or Bacilli

a. Streptobacilli

b. Bacilli

2. Cocci

a. Cocci

b. Diplococci ( e.g. Neisseria meningitidis)

c. Streptococci ( e.g. Streptococcus pyogenes)

d. Staphylococci (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus)

e. Sarcina

f. tetrads (Micrococcus species)

BACTERIAL SHAPES, ARRANGEMENTS AND SIZES

Variety in shape, size, and arrangement but typically described by one of three basic shapes:

coccus - spherical

bacillus – rod

coccobacillus – very short and plump ( Brucella abortus)

Streptobacilli ( Bacillus subtilus)

diplobacilli

spirillum - helical, comma, twisted rod,

spirochete – spring-like- flexible ( Treponema pallidum)

vibrio – gently curved ( Vibrio cholera)

Spirilla- rigid ( Borrelia species)

Pleomorphic : variable in shape ( Corynebacterium)

BACTERIAL SHAPES, ARRANGEMENTS AND SIZES

Arrangement of cells is dependent on pattern of division and how cells remain attached after division:

cocci:

singles

diplococci – in pairs

tetrads – groups of four

irregular clusters

chains

cubical packets

bacilli:

chains

palisades

A. MORPHOLOGY

1. COCCI

A. MORPHOLOGY

2. BACILLI

A. MORPHOLOGY

3. SPIROCHETES

helical

Relaxed-coil

Tightly coil

Relaxed-coil-Borrelia specie

Tightly coil-Treponema sp

BACTERIAL CELL STRUCTURE

Cell Envelope

The outermost structure of bacterial cell.

It is composed of an outer membrane (Gram negative bacteria), cell wall, periplasm (Gram negative
bacteria) and plasma membrane
Cell Wall

Referred as the peptidoglycan or murein layer

rigid structure that maintains the shape of the cell.

Composed of disaccharide-pentapeptide subunits and teichoic acid or liopoteichoic acid

Its synthesis and structure have been the primary target of antimicrobial agents.

Functions:

Prevents bacterial cells from rupturing

Point of anchorage for flagella

Determine staining characteristics of species.

A. Gram Positive Cell Wall

Type of Cell Wall

Composed of a very thick protective peptidoglycan (murein layer).

Consist of glycan chains of alternating N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG) and N-acetyl-D-muramic (NAM)

acid

It contains a negatively charged teichoic acid and contributes to the charge of the cell wall.

Prime target of antibiotics: penicillin

B. Gram Negative Cell Wall

Type of Cell Wall

Outer membrane: is composed of proteins, phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides (LPS)

Inner membrane: thin peptidoglycan (high susceptibility to mechanical breakage)

It has porins → permeability of the cell wall

Contains periplasmic space

Does NOT contain teichoic acid.

3. Acid-fast cell wall

Type of Cell Wall

Has Gram-positive cell wall structure

It also contain waxy layer of glycolipids and fatty acids (mycolic acid) that is bound to the exterior of cell
wall.

Example: Mycobacterium and Nocardia

4. Absence of a cell wall

Type of Cell Wall

Do not have a cell wall contains sterols in their cell membrane

Examples: Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma

PLASMA MEMBRANE

Deepest layer of the cell envelope and the internal matrix of the cell

Consist of a phospholipid bilayer that surrounds the cytoplasm.

It functions as mitochondria, golgi complexes and lysosomes of the eukaryotic cells

It acts as osmotic barierr

Regulates the transport of solutes across the membrane and generate chemical energy (ATP)

Site of respiration and photosynthesis

Ribosomes (Non-membranous structure)

Cytoplasmic Structures

Site of protein biosynthesis an gives the cytoplasm a granular structure.

Consist of RNA and proteins

It is 70S in size and separate into two subunits, 50S and 30S

Genome

Cytoplasmic Structure

Consist of a single, circular chromosome

Appears as a diffused nucleoid or chromatin body that is attached to a mesosome (sac-like structure)

Plasmid

CYTOPLASMIC STRUCTURE

An extrachromosomal, double stranded element of DNA that is associated with virulence

Serve as site for the genes to code for antibiotic resistance and toxin production

NOT essential for bacterial growth. (sometimes disappears during cell division)

2 kinds of Plasmids:
Large Plasmid: responsible for the production of Beta-lactamases

Small Plasmid- resistant to tetracycline and chloramphenicol

Inclusion Bodies

CYTOPLASMIC STRUCTURES

Serve as the energy source or food reserve of the bacteria

Composed mainly of polysaccharides, they lessen osmotic pressure.

Some examples: Glycogen, cyanophysin granules, poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate granules and

polyphosphate granules (volutin and metachromatic granules)

Examples:

Babes Ernst Granules (Corynebacterium diphtheriae)

Bipolar bodies (Yersenia pestis)

Much’s granules (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)

Endospores/Asexual spores (Resistant structures)

CYTOPLASMIC STRUCTURE

These are small, dormant structures located inside the bacterial cell.

Function: aid in the survival of bacteria against external conditions.

Produced within vegetative cells of some Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus and Clostridium)

Composed of dipicolinic acid and calcium ions (Calcium dipicolinate)

Some locations could be a means of microscopically identifying bacteria.

Terminal spore: Clostridium tetani

Subterminal spore: Clostridium botulinum

Central: Bacillus anthracis

PARTS OF AN ENDOSPORE

CELL APPENDAGES

1. Glycocalyx

An outward complex of polysaccharide on the bacterial surface and other cells

Helps the bacteria to attach to the surface of the solid objects or tissue

Appears as capsule or slime layer

CAPSULE

An organized material that is firmly attached to the cell

Made up of polysaccharide polymers

It protects the bacteria from attacks of human defense system cells (resist phagocytosis and
desiccation)

SLIME LAYER

An unorganized material that is loosely attached to the cell wall

Made up of polysaccharides

Can either inhibit phagocytosis or aid in the adherence of bacteria to the host tissue or synthetic
implants.
2. Flagella

An exterior protein filament (flagellin) that rotates and thus, causes bacteria to be motile.

Important in survivability and pathogenic ability of bacteria.

The arrangement of the flagella is as follows:

Atrichous- without flagellum

Monotrichous- single flagellum on one end

Amphitrichous- single flagellum on both ends

Lopotrichous- tuff/group of flagella on one end or both ends

Peritrichous-spread over the whole surface

3. Pili (Fimbria)

Are hair-like, proteinaceous structures that extend from the cell membrane to the external environment
(2um in length)

Function: Aid in the attachment of bacteria to surface and part of gene transfer

Examples: Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Pseudomonas

Two types of Pili:

Somatic/ Common Pili

Sex Pili
EUKARYOTIC CELL STRUCTURE
Cell membrane

Nucleus

Cytoplasm

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Ribosomes

Golgi complex

Lysosomes and Peroxisomes

Mitochondria

Plastids

Cytoskeleton
Cell wall

Flagella and Cilia