PRELIM│PHARMACEUTICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY

PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC CELLS

Living Cells – they are classified into two general categories:

LIVING CELLS
Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
• They do not possess a true nucleus and • They possess a true nucleus and membrane-
membrane-bound organelles. (Ex. Bacteria) bound organelles. (Ex. Plants, animals, fungi,
protozoa)

Viruses are acellular organisms since they only possess DNA or RNA.

COMPARISON BETWEEN PROKARYOTES AND EUKARYOTES

FEATURE PROKARYOTIC CELLS EUKARYOTIC CELLS

Genetic material Not enclosed in a membrane,
not associated with histones,
usually circular
Size Smaller (1-2𝜇m by 1-4𝜇m or
less)
Cell Type Mostly unicellular
Nucleus No true nucleus and nuclear
membrane, called nucleoids
Cell Wall Simple
Cell Division Budding or binary fission
Sexual Reproduction No meiosis, transfer of DNA
only
Cytoskeleton Absent
Mesosome Functions as mitochondria and
Golgi Apparatus
Ribosomes 70S, located in cytoplasm
Membrane-bound Organelles Absent
Extrachromosomal Plasmid Present
Duration of Cell Cycle Short (20-60 minutes)
Enclosed in a membrane,
associated with histones,
usually linear
Greater than 5𝜇m in diamater
Mostly multicellular
Has true nucleus enclosed by
nuclear membrane
Complex
Mitosis
Meiosis
Present
Absent
80S, located in membranes
such as in the endoplasmic
reticulum.
70S, found in organelles such
as mitochondria or chloroplast
Present
Absent
Long (12-24 hours)

STRUCTURE OF THE PROKARYOTIC CELL

Prokaryotic cells (bacteria) are small and simple in design. They have the following characteristics:
1. less complex inside, but more complex outside
2. lack a true nucleus, a nuclear membrane, and intracytoplasmic membranous organelles (plastids,
endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles)
3. Cytoplasm is immobile (e.g., no cytoplasmic streaming, pseudopodia, endo-or exocytosis seen)
4. Multiply asexually by binary fission rather than mitosis or meiosis
5. Protein synthesis is mediated by 70s rather than by 80s ribosomes
6. bacterial genetic information is arranged on a single supercoiled circular strand of DNA, the nucleoid
MEDICALLY IMPORTANT MICROORGANISMS

• These are organisms that are considered to have important potential or the ability to produce significant
clinical diseases in humans.
• Categorized as:
o Viruses
o Bacteria
o Fungi
o Parasites
o Protozoa

VIRUSES
• They are acellular organisms.
• Their outer surface is composed of capsid, composed of repeating subunits called capsomeres.
• They have single nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA, but never both.)
• They are not able to replicate, they lack cellular parts.
• They lack genes and enzymes for energy reproduction.

Classifications of virus
• Type of nucleic acid they possess.
• The shape of capsid (icosahedral, helical, polyhedral, and complex)
• Number of capsomeres
• Size of capsid
• Presence or absence of an envelope
• Type of host they infect (humans, animals, or plants)
• Type of disease they reproduce.
• Target cells or tropism (Ex. T.helper cells for HIV)
• Immunologic or antigenic properties

Various forms and sizes of viruses

BACTERIOPHAGES
• They are viruses that primarily infect bacteria.
• They are obligate intracellular parasites.
• They have similar shapes to the other viruses.
• It can be classified based on the type of nucleic acid.
• They play a role in the acquisition of virulence factors in bacteria.
• They transfer of genetic material from one bacterium to another (transduction)

BACTERIA
• Prokaryotic cell
• Cell wall outer covering (peptidoglycan)
• Cont…Bacteria
• They possess both DNA and RNA
• They possess nucleoid instead of true nucleus, small ribosomes and lack of mitochondria.

Classification of Bacteria based on DR. BERGEY:

• Morphology
• Staining reactions
• Cultural characteristics
• Biochemical or Physiologic Behavior
 • Genetic analyses
• Animal inoculations
• Immunologic difference

4 categories of bacteria
• Gram-positive (Escherichia coli)
• Gram-negative (staphylococcus aureus)
• Acid-fast bacteria with lipid rich cell wall (mycobacterium tuberculosis)
• Bacteria without cell wall (mycoplasma)

FUNGI
• They are eukaryotic cells with an outer space made up of chitin.
• Their cell membrane is made up of ergosterol.
• They possess both DNA and RNA
• Unlike bacteria, they possess true nuclei enclosed by nuclear membranes and mitochondria that function
in ATP production.
• Ribosomes (80 Svedberg units).

COMPARISONS BETWEEN FUNGI AND BACTERIA

FEATURES BACTERIA FUNGI

Cell type Prokaryotic and unicellular Eukaryotic and multicellular or
unicellular
Role in ecosystem Can be both producers and Mainly decomposers
decomposers
Optimal pH Neutral pH (6.5-7.0) Slightly acidic (4.0-6.0)
Cell structures No true nucleus and They possess true nucleus and
membrane-bound organelles membrane-bound organelles
Main component of cell wall Peptidoglycan, except in Chitin
archaebacteria
Sterols in cell membrane Absent except in Mycoplasma Present
Mode of nutrition Heterotrophic, Heterotrophic, majority aerobic,
chemoautotrophic, and facultative anaerobic.
photoautotrophic, aerobic,
anaerobic, facultative
anaerobic.
Reproduction Binary fission Sexual and asexual spores

PROTOZOA
• They are representatives of parasites.
• They are also eukaryotic cells and have an outer surface called pellicle.
• They are unicellular organisms that divide through binary fission.
• 2 morphologic forms: cyst (infective stage) & trophozoites (pathogenic stage)
• They also possess DNA and RNA

ALGAE
• These are eukaryotic organisms; their outer surface consists of cellulose.
• Described as plant-like organisms because of the presence of chlorophyll and are capable of
photosynthesis.
• They have no roots, stems, and leaves.
• They vary in size from single-celled called phytoplankton to large seaweeds.
• They do not produce disease in humans.
 • They are important sources of food, iodine, and other minerals.
• They are also used as fertilizer emulsifier for puddings, stabilizers for ice cream and salad dressings.

FEATURES ALGAE PLANTS

Taxonomic classification Kingdom Protista Kingdom Plantae
Cellular structure Multicellular, unicellular or Multicellular
colony forming
Photosynthetic Yes Yes
Energy source Carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide
Storage form of energy Starch Starch
Vascular system Absent Present
Habitat Mostly water Mostly rooted to the ground
Composed of roots, stems and No Yes
leaves
Method of reproduction Both asexual and sexual Sexual (complex)

DIATOMS
• They are unicellular algae that inhabit both fresh and saltwater.
• Their cell walls contain silicon dioxide for filtration systems, insulations & abrasive.
• Dinoflagellates are unicellular algae that are important members of the phytoplankton group.
• They contribute oxygen to the atmosphere and serve as important links in the food chain.
• They are responsible for red tide.
• These organisms produce a powerful neurotoxin that, when ingested, can cause a fatal disease called
paralytic shellfish poisoning.