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Microbiology: Bacterial Structures and Functions

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Termini in questo insieme (13)

  • What is the glycocalyx and where is it located?
    The glycocalyx is a viscous, gelatinous layer external to the cell wall, made of polysaccharides and/or polypeptides.
  • What are the two types of glycocalyx?
    The two types of glycocalyx are capsule and slime layer.
  • How does the glycocalyx contribute to bacterial virulence?
    Capsules prevent phagocytosis and help bacteria adhere to surfaces, increasing virulence.
  • Name three bacteria that have capsules contributing to virulence.
    Bacillus anthracis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae have capsules that contribute to virulence.
  • What role does the glycocalyx play in biofilm formation?
    The glycocalyx forms biofilms that protect cells and help microbes attach to surfaces.
  • Give two examples of bacteria that form biofilms using glycocalyx.
    Streptococcus mutans and Vibrio cholerae form biofilms using their glycocalyx.
  • What are bacterial flagella made of and what is their function?
    Flagella are filamentous appendages made of the protein flagellin that propel bacteria.
  • What are axial filaments and in which bacteria are they found?
    Axial filaments, or endoflagella, are found in spirochetes and cause corkscrew movement by rotating.
  • Where are axial filaments anchored on the bacterial cell?
    Axial filaments are anchored at one end of the cell.
  • What is the function of fimbriae in bacteria?
    Fimbriae are hairlike appendages that enable bacteria to attach to body surfaces.
  • Name two bacteria that use fimbriae to adhere to host surfaces.
    Neisseria gonorrhoeae and E. coli O157 use fimbriae to adhere to host surfaces.
  • What are pili and what functions do they serve?
    Pili are appendages involved in motility (gliding and twitching) and conjugation (DNA transfer).
  • How do conjugation pili benefit bacteria?
    Conjugation pili enable the transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells.