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Bacterial Cell Structure

Dr. Mohamed Sakr, M.D.
Medical Microbiology and Immunology
A t the end of this lecture the student should
be able to:
• Mention different components of bacterial
cell.
• Describe and Compare between cell wall of
gram positive bacteria and cell wall of gram
negative bacteria.
• Recognize ultra structure and function of
different bacterial organelles.
• Identify when and why some bacteria form
capsule & endospores.
 Structure of Bacterial Cell

• Essential Structure: Found in all bacteria,

which include the cell wall, cell membrane,
ribosomes and the bacterial chromosome.
• Non-essential Structure: Found in some
bacteria but not all include flagella, fimbriae,
capsule and spores.
 The Cell wall
• The bacterial cell wall differs from that of all other
organisms by the presence of peptidoglycan which is
located immediately outside of the cytoplasmic
membrane.
• Peptidoglycan is made up of a polysaccharide backbone
consisting of alternating N-Acetylmuramic acid
(NAM) and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) residues in
equal amounts.
• Peptidoglycan is responsible for the rigidity of the
bacterial cell wall and for the determination of cell
shape.
The cell wall of Gram positive bacteria
is formed of:

• 1. A thick layer of peptidoglycan.

• 2. A thin layer of teichoic acid in the outer
layer of the cell wall (major antigen).
• The cell wall of Gram positive bacteria contain
more peptidoglycan and are thicker and
stronger than those of Gram negative bacteria.
 The cell wall of Gram negative bacteria is
formed of:
• A thin peptidoglycan layer adjacent to the cytoplasmic
membrane.
• Outer membrane: The chemical structure of the outer
membrane's lipopolysaccharides is responsible for many of
the antigenic properties of these bacteria.
a) Inner phospholipid bilayer.
b) Outer Lipopolysaccharides, are composed of polysaccharides and
inner lipid A (also called endotoxins, which are responsible for much of
the toxicity of gram-negative bacteria).

• The periplasmic space: The region between the cytoplasmic

membrane and outer membrane and contain the peptidoglycan
layer.
 Functions of bacterial cell wall:

1. Gives the cell a definite shape and structure.

2. Determines the staining reaction specially Gram
stain.
3. Supports the weak cytoplasmic membrane.
4. Plays an important role in cell division.
5. Responsible for the antigenicity of the bacteria.
 Do you think that
there is cell wall
deficient bacteria !!
 Examples of Cell wall deficient
bacteria
• Naturally occurring: Mycoplasmas are bacteria with
no defined shape due to naturally lacking of cell walls.
• L-form bacteria: Arise spontaneously or induced by
inhibition of cell wall synthesis in bacteria of normal
morphology but can revert to normal on removal of the
inhibitor. They are viable capable of multiplication. They
differ from parent bacteria in lacking rigid cell wall.
 Cytoplasmic Membrane
• The plasma membrane or bacterial cytoplasmic
membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer which
is:
• Semipermeable osmotic barrier (selectively permeable).
• In bacteria it lacks cholesterol (with some exceptions
e.g. Mycoplasma).
• Mesosomes: They are convoluted invaginations of the
plasma membrane and functions either in DNA
replication and cell division or the site of the
respiratory enzymes.
 Functions of bacterial cytoplasmic
membrane
1. The cell membrane is selectively permeable and
able to regulate what enters and exits the cell, thus
facilitating the transport of materials needed for
survival.
2. Excretion of extracellular enzymes and toxins.
3. It contains many enzymes for respiratory and
energy yielding activity.
4. Important role in cell division.
 Cytoplasm
• The cytoplasm of bacterial cell contains the
other internal compounds and components that
bacteria needs for survival.
• It also contains a variety of organic, inorganic
solutes, nuclear body and plasmids.
The Bacterial Ribosome:
• The bacterial ribosome is
a cytoplasmic nucleoprotein
particle whose main
function is to serve as the
site of mRNA translation
and protein synthesis. It
consists of two subunits
denoted 30S (small subunit)
and 50S (large). When
joined, the ribosome has a
sedimentation coefficient of
70S.
 Inclusion granules:

• There are numerous granules in the bacterial

cytoplasm. These bodies are not enclosed by a
membrane and serve as storage granules.
Glycogen is stored as a reserve of
carbohydrate and energy.
Bacterial chromosome:
Plasmids:
• It is formed of single
• A plasmid is a small, circular,
circular supercoiled
double-stranded
chromosome which extrachromosomal DNA
carries the genetic molecule that is distinct from a
materials that control cell's chromosomal DNA.
the bacterial properties, • Often, the genes carried in
behaviors and plasmids provide bacteria with
genetic advantages, such as
pathogenicity. antibiotic resistance.
 Bacterial capsule:
• It is considered a virulence factor that lies
outside and in contact with the cell wall.
• The capsule usually formed of polysaccharide or
polypeptides or hyaluronic acid.
• It enhances the ability of bacteria to cause disease
(e.g. anti-phagocytic). The capsule can protect
cells from engulfment by macrophages.
• It is antigenic and helps in typing of bacteria.
 Bacterial capsule:

• Formed inside host tissue.

• Not stained by Gram stain but needs special stain.
• Development of Vaccines: Capsular
polysaccharides are used as the antigens in certain
vaccines.
• Capsules also help cells adhere to surfaces.
 Flagella:

o Is helical shaped structure which is composed of

subunits of a protein called flagellin.
o Act as organs of motility.
o Not stained by Gram stain but needs special stain.
o They are arranged either :Monotrichate (a single
flagellum at one pole) .Amphitricate )two flagella
one at each pole). Lophotrichate (a group of flagella
at one or both poles). Peritrichate (flagella all
around the cell).
 Fimbriae (Pili):

• A hair like appendage found on the surface of

many bacteria. Pili are antigenic. They are also
fragile and formed of protein called pilin, they are
of two types:
• Common Pili (attachment Pili):
Fimbriae are used by bacteria to adhere to one another
and to adhere to cells and some inanimate objects.

• Sex pili (Conjugative pili): Allow for the transfer

of DNA between bacteria, in the process of
bacterial conjugation.
 Bacterial Spores:

• Is extremely resistant method of surviving unfavorable

conditions. They have number of features:
• Some cannot be killed even at extremes of
temperatures.
• They can tolerate extreme dryness.
• Spores are highly resistant to many chemicals,
including most disinfectants .Spores can survive for
many years in soil and other inanimate objects.
• Spores do not exhibit measurable metabolic activity.
• They are formed outside body.
 Bacterial Spores:

• When the free endospores are placed in an

environment that supports growth, the endospores
will revert back to a vegetative cell in a process
called germination.
• Endospores may be located in the middle of the
bacterium (central), at the end of the bacterium
(terminal) and near the end of the bacteria
(subterminal)
• Examples of Spore forming Bacteria: Bacillus and Clostridium.