In this video, we're going to begin our lesson on the glycocalyx along with capsules and slime layers. Most bacteria are surrounded by a layer of a sticky gel-like substance called the glycocalyx. This glycocalyx is a complex polysaccharide and creates a layer surrounding the outside of the cell. The glycocalyx layer is represented in the image down below as a yellow border surrounding the cells. It could be surrounding either gram-negative cells or gram-positive cells. Once again, this is the glycocalyx. This glycocalyx promotes adhesion of cells to solid surfaces and other cells as well, allowing cells to stick onto surfaces and stick to each other. It also plays an important protective role; it protects the cell from dehydration by helping to retain water and can also collect nutrients from the environment for energy purposes. Since it's so sticky, it can stick and collect nutrients. If we take a look at this image down below, once again, the glycocalyx is the yellow border surrounding the perimeter of the cell. If you zoom in, what we have here is the glycocalyx, shown as a complex polysaccharide structure that surrounds the perimeter of the cell. In our images, we represent the glycocalyx with a yellow background like you see here. There are actually different categories of the glycocalyx based on the composition of its structure. We'll be able to talk more about the different categories of glycocalyx, like capsules and slime layers, in our next video. So, I'll see you guys there.
The Glycocalyx: Capsules & Slime Layers - Online Tutor, Practice Problems & Exam Prep
The Glycocalyx: Capsules & Slime Layers
Video transcript
What is the function of the glycocalyx in bacterial cells?
__________ is the slime-like layer of polysaccharides on the outer surface of bacterial cells.
Capsules vs. Slime Layers
Video transcript
In this video, we're going to briefly distinguish between capsules and slime layers, which are really two categories of the glycocalyx. Two forms that the glycocalyx can take on. Capsules are highly organized and dense layers of polysaccharides that are tightly anchored to the cell. Now, slime layers, on the other hand, are unorganized layers of polysaccharides, and they are going to be easily removable from the cell because they are not as tightly anchored. And so if we take a look at the image down below, notice that the top half of the image is focused on capsules, and the bottom half of the image is focused on slime layers. Notice that both of them are represented as a yellow border that is surrounding the perimeter of the cell. However, notice that the capsule is very highly organized, whereas the slime layer is not nearly as organized. And, it's going to be easily removable from the cell, whereas the capsules on top are going to be tightly anchored. And so, zooming in, you can see the organized structure of the capsule and the unorganized structure of the slime layer. Now, regardless if the glycocalyx takes on a capsule or slime layer form, the glycocalyx is going to be important for the formation of what is known as biofilms. And so, we'll get to talk a lot more about biofilms in our next lesson video. But for now, this here concludes our brief lesson here on capsules versus slime layers, and we'll be able to get some practice applying these concepts as we move forward. So, I'll see you all in our next video.
___________ are an organized layer of polysaccharides tightly anchored to the cell wall.
Which of the following is not a function of slime layers and capsules:
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