Bacterial Cell Wall Structure and Classification

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Questions and Answers

What is peptidoglycan?

Peptidoglycan is a polymer that forms a mesh-like layer in the cell walls of bacteria.

Peptidoglycan can be identified using Gram staining.

True (A)

What is the characteristic of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria?

  • Thin cell wall
  • Cell wall with many pores
  • Thick cell wall (correct)
  • No cell wall

What is the primary structure of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria?

<p>The primary structure of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria is a thick layer of peptidoglycan.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer compared to Gram-positive bacteria.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What makes Gram-negative bacteria harder to treat with antibiotics?

<p>Gram-negative bacteria are harder to treat with antibiotics because they have an outer membrane that acts as a barrier to antibiotics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the color change during Gram staining?

<p>Purple - Red - Yellow (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Peptidoglycan function

Peptidoglycan is a component of bacterial cell walls.

Gram-positive bacteria structure

Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan cell wall, capsule, and plasma membrane.

Gram-negative bacteria structure

Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan cell wall, capsule, and plasma membrane.

Gram-positive staining

Gram-positive bacteria remain purple after Gram staining.

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Gram-negative staining

Gram-negative bacteria stain differently than gram positive bacteria.

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Gram-positive treatment

Gram-positive bacteria are easier to treat with antibiotics.

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Gram-negative treatment

Gram-negative bacteria are harder to treat with antibiotics.

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Gram-positive cell wall passage

Antibiotics pass easily through gram-positive cell walls.

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Gram-negative cell wall passage

Antibiotics pass through gram-negative cell walls with more difficulty.

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Peptidoglycan thickness

Peptidoglycan thickness varies by bacterial type.

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Study Notes

Peptidoglycan in Bacteria

  • Peptidoglycan is a component of bacterial cell walls
  • Thickness varies, influencing Gram classification
  • Gram staining identifies bacteria by cell wall structure

Gram-Positive Bacteria

  • Cell Wall: Thick peptidoglycan layer
  • Structure: Capsule → Thick cell wall → Plasma membrane
  • Treatment: Easier to treat with antibiotics
  • Staining: Retains crystal violet stain, appearing purple after staining
  • Additional Notes:
    • Contains one plasma membrane
    • Can travel easily through cell walls
    • Remains purple after staining

Gram-Negative Bacteria

  • Cell Wall: Thin peptidoglycan layer
  • Structure: Capsule → Thin cell wall → Plasma membrane
  • Treatment: Harder to treat with antibiotics
  • Staining: Does not retain crystal violet, stains pink/red after counter-staining with safranin
  • Additional Notes:
    • Contains double plasma membrane layers
    • Harder to penetrate with antibiotics
    • Two checkpoint locations for antibiotic access
    • May require different antibiotics
    • Changes color from purple to red during staining

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