Lesson 1-4 Study Guide

Bacteria: Morphology and Internal Structures

Preparation:

Read Chapter 2 pages 37-50

Study Questions: Be able to answer the following.
I.
Bacterial Cell Morphology and Size
A.

B.

Morphology.
1.
Draw and characterize cells with the following morphologies: cocci, bacilli, vibrios,
spirilla, and spirochetes
2.
Explain the difference between monomorphic cells and pleomorphic cells.
3.
Characterize bacterial hyphae and trichomes.
Describe the size range of procaryotic cells

II.

Bacterial Cytoplasm
A.
Nucleoid. Describe what a nucleoid is.
1.
Characterize the structure of a typical bacterial chromosome.
2.
Explain why and how DNA is compacted in a bacterial cell.
B.
Plasmids. Describe the structure of a plasmid
C.
Ribosomes. Describe the structure of bacterial ribosomes.
D.
Inclusion bodies
1.
Identify the functions of the inclusion bodies.
2.
Characterize the following types of inclusion bodies: PHB and sulfur globules
E.
Characterize the following bacterial structures: gas vesicles, carboxysomes, and magnetosomes

III.

The Bacterial Cytoskeleton

A.
Describe the function of the following cytoskeletal proteins: FtsZ protein and MreB protein.
B.
Identify the functions of the bacterial cytoskeleton.

IV.

Bacterial Plasma Membranes

A.
Structure
1.
Describe the fluid mosaic model of cell membrane structure.
2.
Discuss the significance of the following features of the bacterial cell membrane:
hopanoids and fatty acid composition
B.
Functions. Characterize the following membrane processes and the proteins involved.
1.
Osmosis and aquaporins.
2.
Nutrient Transport
a.
Facilitated diffusion
b.
Active Transport: symport, antiport, and ABC transporters
3.
Energy capture
4.
Sensory systems
5.
Protein secretion

Assignment: Complete the worksheet on the following page before coming to class.

Internal Structure of Prokaryotic Cells

1.

Make a drawing of bacterial cells with the following morphologies:

a.
staphylococci
b.
diplobacilli
c.
streptobacilli

2.

Distinguish between vibrios, spirilla, and spirochetes.

3.

In viewing a smear of bacteria on a slide, a microbiology student observes sarcina, tetrads, and
diplococci. Draw these bacterial cells and explain how it is possible for a smear to originate from a
pure culture and yet have bacterial cells with these different morphologies.

4.

Slide #1 contains bacteria that are cocci, coccobacilli, and bacilli while Slide #2 contains only bacilli and
cocci. Slide #1 is determined to contain a pure culture of pleiomorphic bacteria while Slide #2 is a
mixed culture of monomorphic bacteria. Provide an explanation for these results.

5.

In 1985, a 0.5-mm cell was discovered in surgeonfish and named Epulopiscium fishelsoni. It was
presumed to be a protozoan. In 1993, researchers determined that Eupulopiscium fisheloni was
actually a bacterium. Explain why this organism was initially identified as a protozoan and identify
evidence that might cause the change in classification from protozoan to bacterium.

6.

Most medically useful antibiotics interfere with either peptidoglycan synthesis or ribosome function.
Explain why the plasma membrane would be a poor target structure for antibacterial drugs.

7.

You are working in a laboratory producing new antibiotics for human and veterinary use. One
compound with potential value inhibits the action of prokaryotic ribosomes. The compound, however,
was shown to inhibit the growth of animal cells in culture. Identify one possible explanation for its
effect on animal cells.

8.

In bacterial cells, distinguish between a chromosome and a plasmid.

9.

Describe what will happen to a bacterial cell after it is placed in each of the following solutions:
a.
Distilled water
b.
Saltwater