Bacterial Cell

Structure
Dr. Shokri Mohsen
Lecturer of Microbiology
and Immunology
ILOs

Memorize bacterial Recall the the functions of each

morphology, size and structure part
 Bacterial Cell Structure

1. Structures External to the Cell

Envelope

2. The Cell Envelope Itself

3. Structures Internal to the Cell

Envelope
Bacterial Cell Structure
1. Structures External to the Cell Envelope:

Flagella:
• Long, whip-like appendages for bacterial motility.

Pili or Fimbriae:
• Hair-like appendages involved in adherence, colonization, and genetic transfer.

Glycocalyx:
• Carbohydrate-rich area on the cell surface, including the capsule and slime
layers.
2. The Cell Envelope Itself:

Cell Wall:
• Provides structural support and shape to the cell.
• Different composition in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Cell Membrane (Cytoplasmic Membrane):
• Phospholipid bilayer that separates the cytoplasm from the external environment.
• Regulates the passage of substances in and out of the cell.
Outer Membrane (Gram-negative bacteria only):
• Extra layer outside the cell wall, containing lipopolysaccharides.
 3. Structures Internal to the Cell Envelope:
Cytoplasm:
• Gel-like substance containing cellular components, including organelles.
Nucleoid:
• Region within the cytoplasm containing the bacterial chromosome (DNA).
Ribosomes:
• Cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis.
Cytoplasmic Inclusions:
• Storage granules containing reserve materials such as glycogen or lipids.
Plasmids:
• Small, circular DNA molecules separate from the chromosomal DNA, often carrying accessory
genes.
Cytoskeleton:
• Protein filaments providing structural support and involved in cell division.
1. Structures External to
the Cell Envelope:
 Glycocalyx (Capsules and Slime Layer):
Definition:

• Gel-like layers enveloping bacteria.

• Distinct and gelatinous: Capsule.
• Diffuse and irregular: Slime layer.

Chemical Composition:

• Mostly polysaccharides.

Capsular Polysaccharides:

• Used as immunogens in vaccines (e.g., pneumococcal,

meningococcal vaccines).
Functions of Glycocalyx:

2. Defense Evasion: Capsules

1. Adherence: Enable bacteria hinder innate defense systems.
to adhere to specific surfaces Streptococcus pneumoniae
(e.g., teeth) and form biofilms requires a capsule to cause
(e.g., dental plaque). disease; unencapsulated cells are
quickly eliminated.

4. Dehydration
3. Identification: Used in
Protection: Capsules
the identification of
protect bacterial cells
organisms.
against dehydration.
 Pili
• Pili (singular: pilus) are hair-like
appendages found on the surface of
many bacteria.

Fimbriae Pili

Short, numerous, hair-like It is longer than fimbriae and

structures that help bacteria usually exist as one or two
adhere to surfaces, including per cell.
host tissues. Pili are involved in specific
They play a crucial role in the functions, such as the transfer
initiation of infections. of genetic material between
bacterial cells.
 Adherence:

• Pili, especially fimbriae, enable bacteria to

adhere to specific surfaces, including host
tissues. This adhesion is essential for the
establishment of infections.

Function Colonization:
of Pili: • Fimbriae facilitate the colonization of mucous
membranes, allowing bacteria to form biofilms
and persist in their environment.

Motility:

• Some bacteria use pili for a type of motility

known as twitching motility. Pili extend and
retract, allowing the bacteria to move short
distances on solid surfaces.
 Role in Genetic Transfer:

• Sex Pili (F-Pili): Highly specialized pili

involved in the transfer of genetic material
from one bacterial cell (donor) to another
(recipient). This process is known as
conjugation.

Pili in Formation and Composition:

Bacteria • Pili are composed of proteins, primarily
pilin.
• The formation of pili involves the assembly
of pilin subunits into a filamentous
structure.
• Pilin subunits are added to the growing
pilus from the pilus base, and the pilus
extends and retracts.
Flagella:
Structure:

• Long protein structure responsible for bacterial motility.

• Composed of three parts: filament, hook, and basal body.

Flagellar Components:

• Filament: Extends into the exterior environment, composed

of identical subunits of flagellin protein.
• Hook: Curved structure connecting the filament to the cell
surface.
• Basal Body: Anchors the flagellum to the cell wall and
cytoplasmic membrane (2 rings in Gram-positive, 4 in Gram-
negative).

Importance in Disease:

• Helicobacter pylori, causing gastric ulcers, has powerful

multiple flagella facilitating penetration through mucous gel
on stomach epithelium.
Flagellar Arrangements:
Monotrichous: One Amphitrichous: Single
flagellum at one pole flagellum at each pole
(e.g., Vibrio cholerae). (e.g., Alkaligens faecalis).

Lophotrichous: Bunch
Peritrichous: Flagella
of flagella at one or both
distributed all over the
poles (e.g., Helicobacter
body (e.g., E. coli).
pylori).

Atrichous: Bacteria with

no flagella (e.g.,
Lactobacillus spp.).
Flagellar Arrangements:
 Functions:

1. Organs of 2. Chemotaxis:
Locomotion: Flagella Responsible for
enable bacterial movement toward
movement. nutrients.

4. Facilitate Penetration:
Assist in penetrating
3. Antigenic Properties:
mucous secretions,
Flagella (H antigen) used
epithelial barriers, and
for typing and diagnosis.
spreading throughout
body fluids and tissues.
2. The Cell Envelope
Itself:
The cell wall :
The cell wall provides structural support and
shape to the bacterial cell.

It plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall

integrity of the cell.

The cell wall acts as a protective barrier,

preventing osmotic lysis by maintaining cell
integrity when exposed to hypotonic
environments.
key points about the cell wall in bacteria:
Role in Pathogenicity:
• The cell wall can contribute to the virulence of pathogenic bacteria by
interacting with the host immune system.
• Some bacterial species can modify their cell wall components to evade
detection by the host's immune system.

Antibiotic Targets:

• Antibiotics like penicillin target the synthesis of peptidoglycan leading to

bacterial cell death.

Variability Among Bacterial Species:

• Different bacterial species may have variations in their cell wall structure,
allowing for classification and identification in microbiology.
 Gram-Positive Bacteria: Gram-Negative Bacteria:

• Thick cell wall composed of • Thinner cell wall with a more complex
peptidoglycan. structure.
• May include teichoic acids, • Consists of a thin layer of
contributing to cell wall maintenance peptidoglycan sandwiched between
and adherence. the outer and inner membranes.
 Peptidoglycan Structure

• Peptidoglycan consists of
repeating units of N-
acetylglucosamine (NAG) and
N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)
linked by peptide bridges.
• The peptide bridges
contribute to the strength
and rigidity of the cell wall.
The cell membrane
The cell membrane is primarily composed of a
phospholipid bilayer.

Phospholipids have a hydrophilic (water-attracting)

head and hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails,
arranged into a bilayer.

The cell membrane is selectively permeable, allowing

certain substances to pass through while restricting
the movement of others.

Small nonpolar molecules can diffuse freely, while

larger or charged molecules may require specific
transport mechanisms.
key points about the cell membrane
In Gram-negative bacteria, the cell membrane is in direct contact with the thin layer of
peptidoglycan in the periplasmic space and the outer membrane.

In Gram-positive bacteria, the cell membrane is located beneath the thicker peptidoglycan
layer.

The cell membrane is a key site for respiratory processes and the electron transport chain,
which generate energy for the cell.

Some enzymes involved in the synthesis of peptidoglycan, a major component of the cell wall,
are associated with the cell membrane.

Certain antibiotics target the bacterial cell membrane, disrupting its structure or function.
Polymyxins, for example, interact with the bacterial cell membrane and are used as antibiotics.
Functions of the Cell Membrane:

Barrier Function: Separates

Transport: Regulates the
the internal environment of
passage of ions and
the cell from the external
molecules into and out of the
environment, maintaining
cell.
cellular integrity.

Energy Production: Houses Cell Signaling: Contains

components of the electron receptors for signaling
transport chain and ATP molecules, facilitating
synthesis during cellular communication with the
respiration. environment.
 Outer Membrane in Gram-Negative Bacteria
• Composed of lipopolysaccharides (LPS),
phospholipids, and proteins.
• LPS consists of lipid A (endotoxin), core
polysaccharide, and O-specific
polysaccharide.
• Functions:
1. Provides an extra layer of protection
against external threats, including
antibiotics and host immune defenses.
2. LPS contributes to structural stability and
acts as an endotoxin.
3. Acts as a barrier regulating the entry of
molecules into the periplasmic space.
3. Structures Internal to
the Cell Envelope
3. Structures Internal to the Cell Envelope

1. Cytoplasm: 2. Nucleoid: 3. Ribosomes:

The cytoplasm is the gel-like The nucleoid is the region Ribosomes are cellular
substance enclosed by the within the bacterial cytoplasm structures responsible for
cell membrane. where the bacterial protein synthesis.
It contains various cellular chromosome (genetic Bacterial ribosomes are
structures and components material or DNA) is located. smaller than eukaryotic
necessary for cellular Unlike eukaryotic cells, ribosomes and are involved in
functions. bacteria lack a membrane- translating the genetic
bound nucleus, and the information from the nucleoid
nucleoid is a distinct, into functional proteins.
condensed region.
 3. Structures Internal to the Cell Envelope

4. Cytoplasmic Inclusions: 5. Plasmids: 6. Cytoskeleton:

Cytoplasmic inclusions are Plasmids are small, circular DNA The cytoskeleton is a network of
storage granules that contain molecules separate from the protein filaments within the
reserve materials, such as chromosomal DNA. cytoplasm that provides
glycogen, lipids, or They often carry accessory structural support to the cell.
polyphosphates. genes, providing additional It is involved in cell shape
These inclusions serve as a functionalities to the bacterial determination, cell division, and
reservoir of nutrients and energy cell, such as antibiotic resistance intracellular transport.
for the cell. or the ability to metabolize
specific substances.
3. Structures Internal to the Cell Envelope

7. Inclusion Bodies: 8. Endospores (in some bacteria):

Inclusion bodies are distinct structures Endospores are highly resistant, dormant
within the cytoplasm that contain structures formed by some bacteria
aggregated proteins or other substances. under unfavorable conditions.
They contain a copy of the bacterial
chromosome and serve as a survival
strategy against harsh environmental
conditions.
 refers to the physical shape, size, and arrangement of
bacterial cells.

Examining the size and shape of bacterial cells is often

one of the initial steps in the identification process.

Bacterial The size, shape, and arrangement of cells are key criteria
morphology used by microbiologists to categorize and classify
bacterial species.

Bacterial morphology allows for a quick and preliminary

assessment of the type of bacteria present in a sample.

Microscopic examination of bacterial morphology is a

routine practice in laboratories.
 Common bacterial morphologies:
Cocci • Spherical or round-shaped bacteria.
• Examples: Staphylococcus aureus

Bacilli • Rod-shaped bacteria with a cylindrical or elongated structure.

• Examples: Escherichia coli

Spirilla • Spiral-shaped bacteria with a helical or corkscrew appearance.

• Examples: Campylobacter jejuni.

Vibrios: • Short, curved, or comma-shaped bacteria.

• Examples: Vibrio cholerae.

Filamentous: • Bacteria with a filament-like structure.

• Examples: Actinomyces species.

• Corkscrew-shaped bacteria with a helical structure and axial

Spirochetes: filaments for motility.
• Examples: Treponema pallidum
 Common bacterial morphologies:
Bacteria can exhibit various shapes, lacking a specific or
Pleomorphic: consistent form. Example: Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

• Intermediate forms between cocci and bacilli, appearing

Coccobacilli: somewhat oval or short rods.
• Example: Haemophilus influenzae.

• Bacteria that arrange in pairs.

Diplococci/Diplobacilli: • Examples: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (diplococci).

• Bacteria that arrange in chains.

Streptococci/Streptobacilli:
• Examples: Streptococcus pyogenes (streptococci),

Tetrads: • Bacteria that arrange in groups of four cells.

• Examples: Micrococcus species.
Bacterial Spores
Bacterial spores are the dormant,
highly resistant form of bacteria,
exhibiting minimal metabolism and
reduced enzyme production

They are characterized by their ability

to withstand harsh environmental
conditions such as high temperatures,
radiation, desiccation, and chemical
agents

Bacterial spores are typically

produced by Gram-positive bacteria,
including species from the genera
Bacillus and Clostridium
Bacterial Spores
Sporulation occurs in response to unfavorable conditions like nutrient
depletion or environmental stress.

Spores have a unique structure with a tough, protective outer layer known as
the spore coat. Provides resistance against heat, chemicals, and radiation.

A process called sterilization destroys spores and bacteria, usually performed

at high temperature and under high pressure, often using an autoclave in
healthcare settings.

Spores undergo germination in favorable conditions. Reactivation of

metabolic processes leads to the emergence of new bacterial cells.
Thank You