Prokaryotic

Cells CHAPTER 3

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General Information

Life probably began as prokaryotic cells 3.8 billion

years ago.
Smallest life form
Unicellular
No membrane bound organelles or membrane bound
nucleus
Reproduce through Binary Fission

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Prokaryotes
1. Archaea
2. Bacteria

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Prokaryotic Cells

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Unique Sizes, Shapes and Arrangements

Helps identify pathogens

Monomorphic- 1 form
Pleomorphic- multiple forms
Helps enhance their survival and sometimes the way they are
spread

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Sizes and Shapes

Ranges
Bacilli – rod shaped

Cocci– spherical cells

Spirochetes – spiral-
shaped, corkscrew
motion

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Arrangements- result from division

Diplococci – paired cocci Diplobacilli – paired

Streptococci – chains of bacilli
cocci Streptobacilli – chains
Staphylococci – of bacilli
grapelike clusters

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Shape and Arrangement????

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Figure 3.7 Binary Fission- most prokaryotes
 ExtracellularProkary
otic Cell Parts

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Plasma
Membrane
Membrane barrier that
surrounds the cell
Phospholipid bilayer- fluid
mosaic model
Selectively permeable
ATP production
Receptors present

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Cell Walls
Rigid structure
Extra layer of protection
Peptidoglycan- used by
bacteria as a core
component of their cell
walls

*Archaea use different

substance

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Gram Stain Procedure
Gram staining allows us to classify cells based on
cell wall structure
Gram Stain Procedure

Gram-Negative bacteria cell Gram-Positive bacteria cell

wall wall

Thin peptidoglycan layer Thick peptidoglycan layer

Outer membrane Lack an outer membrane
Contains lipopolysaccharide More sensitive to Penicillin
Damage by certain agents Teichoic Acids- help stabilize the
(e.g., lysozyme) gram positive cell
Variety of drugs
Some detergents and
disinfectants
Gram Stain Procedure

GRAM POSITIVE- stains GRAM NEGATIVE-

PURPLE stains RED/PINK

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Examples of Medically Important Gram-Negative Bacteria
Examples of Medically Important Gram-Positive Bacteria
Table 3.1 Comparing Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria
 Acid Fast Staining
Mycolic Acid- Acid fast walls
contain this waxy substance
Drugs, nutrients and gases have
a hard time passing across the
walls.

Stains red in Acid Fast Staining

2 Genera:
1. Nocardia
2. Mycobacterium- leprosy and TB

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Mycoplasmas

Lack a cell wall

Contain a sterol-enriched plasma membrane
Pleomorphic

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L-Forms

Bacteria that had a cell wall and then lost it

May contribute to persistent infections since many
antibiotics target cell wall structures
Resistant to certain environmental stresses (e.g.,
boiling and autoclaving)

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 Movement across the cell wall and
plasma membranes
1. Passive Transport- no energy
Transportation 2. Active Transport- energy
needed

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 Passive
Diffusion Movement of substances from
areas of high concentration to
areas of low concentration

Types:
1. Simple Diffusion

Small molecules, gases,

and lipid-soluble
substances

2. Facilitated Diffusion

Uses membrane proteins

Ions, bigger substances.
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Osmosis

Passive
Water moves
from a high
concentration to
a lower
concentration

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Active Transport

Active
Substances move from
a lower concentration to
a higher concentration
Use membrane bound
proteins
Ions, AA or sugars

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Flagella

Used for motility

Built from a protein

Work like a rotary

propeller that spins

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Flagella
Run and tumble- allows the cell to sense its
environment and change direction

Chemotaxis- movement
in response to a chemical
stimulus
Phototaxis -movement
in response to light
Flagellar Structures
Monotrichous: single flagellum
Lophotrichous: tuft or cluster of flagella at one end
Amphitrichous: flagella at both ends of the cell
Peritrichous: flagella all over the cell surface

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Periplasmic Flagella(Axial Filaments)

Located in the space

between the plasma
membrane and the cell
wall
Allow spirochetes to
move in a corkscrew
motion

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Fimbriae
Short, bristle-like protein
structures that come out of the
surface

Help prokaryotes stick to surfaces

or to each other for establishing
biofilm

Common in Gram-negative
bacteria

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Pili
Similar to fimbriae, except
that they tend to be longer

Rigid

Less numerous

May help in conjugation

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 Glycocalyx
Sticky carbohydrate-enriched layer
Helps bacteria stick to host tissues or
surfaces
Offers some protection against
antibiotics and typical disinfection

Types:
1. Slime layer- is unorganized and loosely
associated
Easily rinsed away

2. 2. Capsule- is a well-organized, tightly

Virulence factor
Protects against phagocytosis
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 Intracellular
Prokaryotic Cell
Parts

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Cytoplasm

Gel like substance found inside of the plasma

membrane
Prokaryotes lack most of the membrane bound
organelles in their cytoplasm

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Nucleoid
Contains Prokaryotic D N A

Organized into a single,

circular chromosome

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Ribosomes

Protein production

Smaller than
eukaryotic ribosomes

Free floating in
cytoplasm

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Cytoskeleton

Composed of long
protein filaments

Provide structure and

support

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Inclusion Bodies
Used for storage

Different types

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 Endospores
Inactive structures that allow
certain cells to enter a dormant
state (Sporulation)

When conditions become

favorable, spores germinate back
into vegetative cells (actively
growing cells)

Virulence Factor: Highly resistant

to environmental stresses (e.g.,
starvation, heat, drying, freezing,
radiation)

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Endospore Sporulation

Process of forming an endospore

Steps of sporulation:
1. Copying of DNA
2. Packaging of DNA, ribosomes, and special enzymes into the
spore coat
3. Surrounding the spore core with several heat- and chemical-
resistant layers
4. Release

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Clinically Important Spore-Forming Bacteria
Medically relevant species that make endospores
are in the Bacillus, Clostridium
Examples:

Bacillus anthracis (anthrax)

Clostridium tetani (tetanus)
Clostridium botulinum (botulism)
Clostridium perfringens (gas gangrene)
Clostridioides difficile (severe diarrhea)
Endospores survive for extended periods on
surfaces, even in healthcare facilities
Visual Summary: Introduction to Prokaryotic Cells
 Which of the following include
prokaryotic cells? Select all that apply:
a. Eukarya

Question 1 b.

c.
Archaea
Protista
d. Bacteria
e. Fungi

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 Which of the following are true
regarding osmosis? Select all that
apply:
a. The same as diffusion but with
water

Question 2 b.

c.
Requires energy
Water moves from higher
concentration to lower
concentration
d. Isotonic solution means that the
water is equal on the inside and
outside of the cells

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