Morphology and Classification of Bacteria: October 2016
Morphology and Classification of Bacteria: October 2016
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Notes
MORPHOLOGY AND
CLASSIFICATION OF BACTERIA
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Microorganisms are a heterogeneous group of several distinct classes of living
beings. Based on the difference in cellular organization and biochemistry, the
kingdom protista has been divided into two groups namely prokaryotes and
eukaryotes. Bacteria and blue-green algae are prokaryotes, while fungi, other
algae, slime moulds and protozoa are eukaryotes. Bacteria are prokaryotic
microorganisms that do not contain chlorophyll. They are unicellular and do not
show true branching, except in higher bacteria like actinomycetales.
OBJECTIVES
After reading this lesson, you will be able to:
z describe the structure of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cell
z explain the size of bacteria
z classify bacteria based on the shape and arrangements
z describe the structure of bacterial cell wall
z describe the phases of Growth curve
z explain the factors affecting the growth of bacteria
1.2 PROKARYOTES
The prokaryotic cells have the following characteristics such as
z No organelles, all the action takes place in the cytosol or cytoplasmic
membrane
MICROBIOLOGY 1
MODULE Morphology and Classification of Bacteria
Microbiology z Most bacteria possess peptidoglycan, a unique polymer that makes its
synthesis a good target for antibiotics
z Protein synthesis takes place in the cytosol with structurally different
ribosome’s
Notes
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Morphology and Classification of Bacteria MODULE
Microbiology
Cell wall Eubacteria have a cell wall No cell wall in animal
of peptidoglycan Archaea cellsPlant cell walls =
have cell walls of celluloseFungal cell walls =
pseudomurein chitin
1.3 BACTERIA
The major characteristics of Bacteria are based on their size, shape and
arrangements
1.3.1 Size
The unit of measurement used in bacteriology is the micron (micrometer)
The limit of resolution with the unaided eye is about 200 microns. Bacteria are
smaller which can be visualized only under magnification. Bacteria of medical
importance generally measure 0.2 – 1.5 μm in diameter and about 3-5 μm in
length.
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MODULE Morphology and Classification of Bacteria
4 MICROBIOLOGY
Morphology and Classification of Bacteria MODULE
Electron Microscope Microbiology
Beams of electron are used instead of beam of light, used in light microscope.
The object which is held in the path of beam scatters the electrons and produces
an image which is focused on a fluorescent viewing screen. Gas molecules
scatter electron, therefore it is necessary to examine the object in a vacuum.
Notes
INTEXT QUESTIONS 1.1
Match the following
Microscopes Properties:
1. Light microscope (a) reflected light
2. Phase contrast microscope (b) electron beam
3. Dark field microscope (c) light beam
4. Electron microscope (d) refractive index
Simple Stains
Dyes such as methylene blue or basic fuchsin are used for simple staining. They
provide colour contrast, but impart the same colour to all bacteria.
Negative Staining
Bacteria are mixed with dyes such as Indian ink or nigrosin that provide a
uniformly coloured background against which the unstained bacteria stand out
in contrast. Very slender bacteria like spirochetes that cannot be demonstrated
by simple staining methods can be viewed by negative staining.
Impregnation Methods
Cells and structures too thin to be seen under ordinary microscope may be
rendered visible if they are impregnated with silver on the surface. These are
used for demonstration of spirochetes and bacterial flagella.
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MODULE Morphology and Classification of Bacteria
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Morphology and Classification of Bacteria MODULE
2. Bacilli (from baculus meaning rod) are rod shaped cells Microbiology
3. Vibrios are comma shaped curved rods and derive their name from their
characteristics vibratory motility.
4. Spirilla are rigid spiral forms.
5. Spirochetes (from speira meaning coil and chaite meaning hair) are flexuous
spiral forms
Notes
6. Actinomycetes are branching filamentous bacteria, so called because of a
fancied resemblance to the radiating rays of the sun when seen in tissue
lesions (from actis meaning ray and mykes meaning fungus)
7. Mycoplasmas are bacteria that are cell wall deficient and hence do not
possess a stable morphology. They occur as round or oval bodies and as
interlacing filaments.
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MODULE Morphology and Classification of Bacteria
Microbiology
8 MICROBIOLOGY
Morphology and Classification of Bacteria MODULE
Microbiology
1.5 BACTERIAL STRUCTURE
The outer layer or cell envelope consists of two components, a rigid cell wall
and beneath it a cytoplasmic or plasma membrane. The cell envelope encloses
the protoplasm, comprising the cytoplasm, cytoplasmic inclusions such as
ribosomes and mesosomes, granules, vacuoles and the nuclear body.
Fig. 1.5
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MODULE Morphology and Classification of Bacteria
Outer Membrane
Outer membrane is found only in Gram-negative bacteria, it functions as an
initial barrier to the environment and is composed of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
and phospholipids
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
The LPS present on the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria account for their
endotoxic activity and antigen specificity.
A bacterium is referred as a protoplast when it is without cell wall. Cell wall
may be lost due to the action of lysozyme enzyme, which destroys peptidoglycan.
This cell is easily lysed and it is metabolically active but unable to reproduce.
A bacterium with a damaged cell wall is referred as spheroplasts. It is caused
by the action of toxic chemical or an antibiotic, they show a variety of forms
and they are able to change into their normal form when the toxic agent is
removed, i.e. when grown on a culture media
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Morphology and Classification of Bacteria MODULE
Cytoplasmic membrane Microbiology
Cytoplasm Notes
The cytoplasm is a Colloidal system containing a variety of organic and
inorganic solutes containing 80% Water and 20% Salts, Proteins. They are rich
in ribosomes, DNA & fluid. DNA is circular and haploid. They are highly coiled
with intermixed polyamines & support proteins. Plasmids are extra circular
DNA.
1 μm
Fig. 1.6
Ribosomes
They are the centers of protein synthesis. They are slightly smaller than the
ribosomes of eukaryotic cells
Mesosomes
They are vesicular, convoluted tubules formed by invagination of plasma
membrane into the cytoplasm. They are principal sites of respiratory enzymes
and help with cell reproduction
Cytoplasmic Inclusions
The Inclusion bodies are aggregates of polymers produced when there is excess
of nutrients in the environment and they are the storage reserve for granules,
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MODULE Morphology and Classification of Bacteria
Nucleus
The Nucleus is not distinct and has no nuclear membrane or nucleolus and the
genetic material consist of DNA. The cytoplasmic carriers of genetic information
Notes
are termed plasmids or episomes.
Capsule
Capsule is the outer most layer of the bacteria (extra cellular). It is a condensed
well defined layer closely surrounding the cell. They are usually polysaccharide
and if polysaccharide envelops the whole bacterium it is capsule and their
production depends on growth conditions. They are secreted by the cell into the
external environment and are highly impermeable. When it forms a loose mesh
work of fibrils extending outward from the cell they are described as glycocalyx
and when masses of polymer that formed appear to be totally detached from the
cell and if the cells are seen entrapped in it are described as slime layer.
The Capsule protects against complement and is antiphagocytic. The Slime layer
& glycocalyx helps in adherence of bacteria either to themselves forming
colonial masses or to surfaces in their environment and they resists phagocytosis
and desiccation of bacteria.
Flagella
Flagella are long hair like helical filaments extending from cytoplasmic
membrane to exterior of the cell. Flagellin is highly antigenic and functions in
cell motility. The location of the flagella depends on bacterial species as polar
situated at one or both ends which swims in back and forth fashion and lateral
at along the sides.
The parts of flagella are the filament, hook and the basal body. Filament is
external to cell wall and is connected to the hook at cell surface, the hook & basal
body are embedded in the cell envelope. Hook & filament is composed of protein
subunits called as flagellin. Flagellin is synthesized within the cell and passes
through the hollow centre of flagella. The arrangement of flagella may be
described as
(i) Monotrichous – single flagella on one side
(ii) Lophotrichous – tuft of flagella on one side
(iii) Amphitrichous – single or tuft on both sides
(iv) Peritrichous – surrounded by lateral flagella
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Microbiology
Structure Flagella Type Example
Monotrichous Vibrio cholerae
Lophotrichous Bartonella
bacillifornis
Amphitrichous Spirillum serpens
Notes
Peritrichous Escherichia coli
Pili / Fimbriae
Hair-like proteinaceous structures that extend from the cell membrane to
external environment are pili which are otherwise known as fimbriae. They are
thinner, shorter and more numerous than flagella and they do not function in
motility. The fimbriae is composed of a subunit called pilin.
There are two types pili namely Non-sex pili (Common pili) eg. fimbriae or type
IV and the sex pili. The fimbriae are antigenic and mediate their adhesion which
inhibits phagocytosis. The sex pili help in conjugation.
Spore
Some bacteria have the ability to form highly resistant resting stage called
spores, which helps them to overcome adverse environmental conditions that are
unfavorable for vegetative growth of cell. They are not a reproductive form and
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MODULE Morphology and Classification of Bacteria
Pili
Notes Sex pilus Stabilizes mating bacteria Protein
during DNA transfer by
conjugation
Cell wall
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Morphology and Classification of Bacteria MODULE
not a storage granule. These spores are resistant to bactericidal agents and Microbiology
adverse physical conditions. Each spore can give rise to only one endospore
which play a role in heat resistance. Spores consists of three layers namely core,
cortex and spore coat
Notes
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MODULE Morphology and Classification of Bacteria
Stationary
phase
Log Decline
Number of phase phase
bacteria Lag
phase
Time
The various stages of bacterial growth curve are associated with morphological
and physiological alterations of the cells. The maximum cell size is obtained
towards the end of the lag phase. In the log phase, cells are smaller and stained
uniformily. In the stationary phase, cells are frequently gram variable and show
irregular staining due to the presence of intracellular storage granules. Sporulation
occurs at this stage. Also, many bacteria produce secondary metabolic products
such as exotoxins and antibiotics. Involution forms are common in the phase of
decline.
Nutrition
The principal constituents of the cells are water, proteins, polysaccharides,
lipids, nucleic acid and mucopeptides. For growth and multiplication of bacteria,
the minimum nutritional requirement is water, a source of carbon, nitrogen and
some inorganic salts.
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Bacteria can be classified nutritionally, based on their energy requirement and Microbiology
on their ability to synthesise essential metabolites. Bacteria which derive their
energy from sunlight are called phototrophs, those who obtain energy from
chemical reactions are called chemotrophs. Bacteria which can synthesise all
their organic compounds are called autotrophs and those that are unable to
synthesise their own metabolites are heterotrophs.
Some bacteria require certain organic compounds in minute quantities. These Notes
are know as growth factors or bacterial vitamins. Growth factors are called
essential when growth does not occur in their absence, or they are necessary for
it.
Oxygen
Depending on the influence of oxygen on growth and viability, bacteria are
divided into aerobes and anaerobes.
Aerobic bacteria require oxygen for growth. They may be obligate aerobes like
cholera, vibrio, which will grow only in the presence of oxygen or facultative
anaerobes which are ordinarily aerobic but can grow in the absence of oxygen.
Carbon Dioxide
All bacteria require small amounts of carbon dioxide for growth. This
requirement is usually met by the carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere.
Some bacteria like Brucella abortus require much higher levels of carbon
dioxide.
Temperature
Bacteria vary in their requirement of temperature for growth. The temperature
at which growth occurs best is known as the optimum temperature. Bacteria
which grow best at temperatures of 25-40°C are called mesophilic. Psychrophilic
bacteria are those that grow best at temperatures below 20°C. Another group of
non pathogenic bacteria, thermophiles, grow best at high temperatures, 55-80°C.
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MODULE Morphology and Classification of Bacteria
Light
Bacteria except phototrophic species grow well in the dark. They are sensitive
Notes to ultraviolet light and other radiations. Cultures die if exposed to light.
H-ion concentration
Bacteria are sensitive to variations in pH. Each species has a pH range, above
or below which it cannot survive and an optimum pH at which it grows best.
Majority of pathogenic bacteria grow best at neutral or slightly alkaline pH (7.2
– 7.6)
Osmotic Effect
Bacteria are more tolerant to osmotic variation than most other cells due to the
mechanical strength of their cell wall. Sudden exposure to hypertonic solutions
may cause osmotic withdrawal of water and shrinkage of protoplasm called
plasmolysis.
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Microbiology
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
1. Describe the structure of cell wall
2. Classify bacteria based on shaped and arrangement with examples
3. Explain the factors affecting the growth of the bacteria
Notes
4. Describe growth curve
1.1
1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (b)
1.2
1. (d) 2. (e) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (c)
1.3
1. (d) 2. (e) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (b)
1.4
1. (c) 2. (e) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (d)
1.5
1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (b)
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