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Prokaryotic Cell Structure and Functions

Prokaryotic cells are typically 0.2-1.0 μm by 2-8 μm in size and can have various shapes including spherical, rod-like, and unusual star or square shapes. They consist of 70% water, with the remaining dry weight composed of DNA, RNA, proteins, and surface structures like polysaccharides and lipids. The cell envelope includes a cell wall, cell membrane, and external structures like capsules, slime layers, flagella, pili and fimbriae. The cytoplasm contains ribosomes, plasmids, and inclusions for storage. Prokaryotes reproduce asexually through binary fission and have important ecological roles as decomposers and in nutrient cycles.

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213 views

Prokaryotic Cell Structure and Functions

Prokaryotic cells are typically 0.2-1.0 μm by 2-8 μm in size and can have various shapes including spherical, rod-like, and unusual star or square shapes. They consist of 70% water, with the remaining dry weight composed of DNA, RNA, proteins, and surface structures like polysaccharides and lipids. The cell envelope includes a cell wall, cell membrane, and external structures like capsules, slime layers, flagella, pili and fimbriae. The cytoplasm contains ribosomes, plasmids, and inclusions for storage. Prokaryotes reproduce asexually through binary fission and have important ecological roles as decomposers and in nutrient cycles.

Uploaded by

abida waryam
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Prokaryotic Cell

Structure and Functions


Prokaryotes:
Size and shape

 Average size: 0.2 -1.0 µm  2 - 8 µm


 Basic shapes:
Cell Arrangements

 Pairs: diplococci,
diplobacilli

 Clusters: staphylococci

 Chains: streptococci,
streptobacilli
Size and shape
Size and shape
Size and shape
 Unusual shapes
 Star-shaped Stella
 Square Haloarcula
 Most bacteria are Monomorphic
 A few are pleomorphic

Genus: Stella

Genus: Haloarcula
Bacterial Cell
Chemical Composition of Bacterial cell:

 Water - 70%
 Dry weight - 30% composed of:
 DNA - 5% , RNA - 12%, protein- 70% found in:
Ribosomes – RNA (Protein particles) - MW 3,000,000
and Enzymes
 Surface structures
 Polysaccharides - 5%
 Lipids - 6%
 Phospholipids - 4%
Prokaryotes Structure

 Cell envelope- glycocalyx, cell wall , cell membrane


 Appendages- flagella, pili, fimbrae
 Cytoplasm- nucleoid/chromosome, ribosomes, granules,
plasmids (in some)
Structures External to the Cell Wall
 Glycocalyx

 Glycocalyx (meaning sugar coat) is the general term used for


substances that surround prokaryotic cells.
 Consist of Layer of Polysacchrides and Proteins (sometimes).
 Some extracellular material secreted by many bacterial cells in the
form of:
a) Capsule
b) Slime Layer
Capsule
If the substance is organized
and is firmly attached to the cell
wall
Capsules often protect
pathogenic bacteria from
phagocytosis by the cells of the
host.
Slime layer
If the substance is unorganized
and only loosely attached to the
cell wall.
Bacterial Cell wall:

 Rigid structure that lies just outside the plasma membrane.


 It provides the characteristic shape to the cell.
 Protect the cell from osmotic lysis.
 May also contribute to pathogenicity.
Structure of the Cell Wall:

 Peptidoglycan (polysaccharides + protein)


Components of the peptidoglycan layer:
 – Repeating glycan chains (N acetyl glucosamine and N acetyl
muramic acid)
 – A set of identical tetrapeptide side chains attached to N-
acetylmuramic acid
 – A set of identical peptide cross bridges
Differences in Cell wall structure:
 Basis of Gram Stain Reaction: Hans
Christian Gram- 1884
 Differential Stain: Gram Positive vs
Gram Negative Cells
 Gram Positive Cells-
 Thick peptidoglycan layer with
embedded teichoic acids
 Gram Negative Cells-
 Thin peptidoglycan layer, outer
membrane of lipopolysaccharide.
Plasma Membrane
 Located just under cell wall
 Very thin, lipid bilayer, similar to the plasma membrane of other
cells.
 Transport of ions, nutrients and waste across the membrane
(selectively permeable membrane).
 Typical
• 30-40% phospholipids
• 60-70% proteins
 Exceptions-
• Mycoplasma- sterols
• Archaea- unique branched hydrocarbons
Plasma Membrane

 Phospholipid bilayer
 Peripheral proteins
 Integral proteins
 Transmembrane proteins
Mesosomes
 In folding of the plasma membrane into cytoplasm – internal
pouch
 Increases surface area.
 Gram-positive bacteria- prominent.
 Gram negative bacteria- smaller, harder to see.
 Plays a role in cellular respiration and movement of DNA
Flagella
 Long appendages which rotate by means of a "motor“ located just
under the cytoplasmic membrane.
 Bacteria that lack flagella are referred to as Atrichous
 Flagella may be Peritrichous (distributed over the entire cell
 polar (at one or both poles or ends of the cell).
 If polar, flagella may be Monotrichous (a single flagellum at
one pole)
 Lophotrichous (a tuft of flagella coming from one pole)
 Amphitrichous (flagella at both poles of the cell)
Flagella distribution over the cell body
Flagellum of G+ and G- Bacteria
Bacterial motility

 Rotate flagella to run or tumble


 Move toward or away from stimuli (taxis)
 Flagella proteins are H antigens
(e.g., E. coli O157:H7)
Bacterial motility
Fimbriae

 Fimbriae may be several hundred in number


 Distributed on poles or entire surface
 Allow attachment
Pili
 Longer than Fimbriae
 Only 1 or 2 per cell
 Transfer genetic material
 Some bacteria can produce a special pilus called a conjugation or sex
pilus that enables conjugation.
Cell Cytoplasm:

 Encased by cell membrane


 Dense, gelatinous
 Prominent site for biochemical and synthetic activities
 70-80% water- solvent
 Mixture of nutrients- sugar, amino acids,salts
 Building blocks for cell synthesis and energy
Nucleoid

 It is an irregularly shaped region within the cell of prokaryotes that


contains all or most of the genetic material.
 The genome of prokaryotic organisms generally is a circular double
stranded DNA.
 Lack nuclear Membrane.
Plasmids

 Extrachromosomal pieces of DNA


 Often confer protection- resistance to drugs
 Tiny, circular
 Free or integrated
 Duplicate and are passed on to offspring
 Used in genetic engineering
Ribosomes:

 Site of protein synthesis


 RNA and Protein
 Thousands
 Occurs in chains –polysomes
 • 70S
 2 smaller subunits
 30S and 50S
Inclusions

 Metachromatic granules (volutin) •Phosphate reserves


 Polysaccharide granules
•Energy reserves
 Lipid inclusions
•Energy reserves
 Sulfur granules
•Energy reserves
 Carboxysomes
•Ribulose 1,5-diphosphate
carboxylase for CO2 fixation
 Gas vacuoles
•Protein covered cylinders
 Magnetosomes
•Iron oxide (destroys H2O2)
Mode of Reproduction:
 Prokaryotes reproduce by binary (‘two’) fission (‘splitting’).
 The two new ‘daughter’ cells are clones of the original cell
genetically identical.
Prokaryote Functions
 Decomposers
 Agents of fermentation
 Play important roles in digestive systems
 Involved in many nutrient cycles
 ex: the nitrogen cycle, which restores nitrate into the soil for plants.
 Diverse array of metabolic functions.
 For example, some bacteria use sulfur instead of oxygen in their
metabolism.
THANK YOU

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