1.

Bacteria
 Introduction
• The smallest free - living microorganisms are the
prokaryotes, comprising bacteria and archaea
• Prokaryote; a term used to define cells that lack
a true nuclear membrane;
– They contrast with eukaryotic cells (e.g. plants,
animals and fungi) that possess a nuclear membrane
and internal compartmentalization.
Take home; Differentiate Prokaryotic from
Eukaryotic cells
 Introduction
• Bacteria represent a large and diverse group of
microorganisms that can exist as single cells or as
cell clusters.
• generally able to carry out their life processes of
growth, energy generation and reproduction
independently of other cells
• They are capable of growing in a range of
different environments and
• Not only cause contamination and spoilage of
many pharmaceutical products but also a range
of different diseases.
 Introduction…...
• Terms used to describe types of bacteria based on their
environmental and metabolic adaptation.
Bacterial; Size, Shape and Arrangement
• Bacteria are the smallest free - living organisms,
their size being measured in micrometres (microns).
• Vary in size from a cell as small as 0.1 – 0.2 μ m in
diameter to those that are > 5 μ m in diameter
(extremely rare).
• The majority of bacteria are 1 – 5 μ m long and 1– 2
μ m in diameter.
• The small size of bacteria has a number of
implications with regard to increased and more
efficient transport rates therefore rapid growth
rates than eukaryotic cells.
Bacterial Morphology and Arrangements

• Bacteria can be seen in various characteristic

shapes: spherical (coccus), rod-shaped (bacillus),
comma-shaped (vibrio), spiral (spirillum and
spirochaetes) or filamentous (see diagrams).
 Morphology and Arrangement contd...
• With respect to each other, cells can be seen in
different arrangements:
Figure showing the typical shapes and arrangements

:
 Bacterial Cellular components
Generally fewer and simple components compared
to Eukaryotic cells
Basic/essential components;
• Cell wall, Cytoplasmic membrane, Nuclear
material , Ribosomes
Specific/non essential components;
• Inclusion granules, Fimbriae, Flagella, Capsule,
Spores
Bacterial Cellular components...cont
 THE CYTOPLASM
• It is the main part of the protoplast.
• watery sap or soft gel packed with abundant
small granules called ribosomes and a few
convoluted membranous bodies called
mesosomes.
• Also contains the nuclear body. It may also
contain inclusion bodies or granules.
• It lacks mitochondria.
 The nuclear material
• The genetic information of a bacterial cell is contained
in a single molecule of double stranded DNA that
occurs in the form of a closed circle.
• This single molecule is referred to as the
chromosome. It is about 1000 m (1 mm) long
• There is no nuclear membrane or nucleolus

• It replicates by growth and simple binary fission.

 THE RIBOSOMES
• These are smaller than those of eukaryotic cells (10-20
nm).
• Have a sedimentation coefficient of 70S (Svedberg
units) being composed of a 30S and a 50S subunit (cf
80S: 40S +60S for eukaryotic cells).
• The code of the mRNA is translated into peptide
sequences at the ribosomes.
– Therefore, ribosomes are the workbenches on which proteins
are synthesized.
 INCLUSION GRANULES
• Many species of bacteria have round granules in the
cytoplasm. They are not permanent or essential
structures of the cytoplasm.

• They are stores of nutrients. E.g. Corynebacterium spp

contain polyphosphates , Lipid granules are seen in
Bacillus spp while Polysaccharide granules may be
found in some bacterial spp.
 CYTOPLASMIC MEMBRANE
• This forms the enclosure of the protoplast ; Also
called plasma or cell membrane. It is lipoprotein in
nature.
The major functions of the cytoplasmic membrane are;
1.Selective permeability and transport of solutes
2.Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation in
aerobic species
3.Excretion of hydrolytic exoenzymes
4. Bearing the enzymes and carrier molecules that
function in the biosynthesis
5. Bearing the receptors and other proteins.
 THE CELL WALL
• This encases the protoplast and lies immediately
external to the cytoplasmic membrane. It is thick,
strong, rigid and porous.

• If the bacterium bursts because of weakening of the

cell wall, it is said that the bacterium has undergone
lysis.

• Plasmolysis is when a bacterium undergoes shrinkage

because of being placed in a solution of very high
concentration.
 Functions of the cell wall:
• It supports the cytoplasmic membrane against
the high internal osmotic pressure
• It maintains the characteristic shape of the
bacterium.
• It plays an important role in cell division.
– A cross wall develops transversely across the
bacterium separating two daughter cells.
 Composition of Cell Wall
• The chemical composition of the cell wall differs
with bacterial spp, but in all spp the main
strengthening component is a substance called
peptidoglycan.
• Peptidoglycan is found only in bacterial cell walls
and is synonymous to cellulose in plants and
chitin in insects.
• The cell walls of most Gram-positive bacteria
consist mainly of several layers ( about 40) of
peptidoglycan.
• The layers are connected to each other by amino
acid bridges.
 Composition of Cell Wall cont.....
• The cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria, on the other
hand, contain a single or two layers of peptidoglycan
• Therefore, cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria are
weaker compared to those of Gram-positive bacteria.
• However, the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria have
additional layers of other substances located on the
outside of the peptidoglycan layer.
– Include layers of lipopolysaccharide (LPS),
lipoprotein, and phospholipids, in that order from
the top.

• Differences in the chemical composition of the cell wall

determine the Gram staining properties of the cell and
its susceptibility to some antibiotics.
 THE CAPSULE
• Many bacteria are surrounded by a covering layer of
gelatinous material that lies outside and immediately in
contact with the cell wall.

• Capsules of most bacteria are polysaccharides but

those of a few bacteria are polypeptides.

• A capsule is not essential to the life of the bacterium

but is protective, mainly against phagocytosis.

• It is also used for attachment to surfaces; therefore

plays part in pathogenicity.
 THE FLAGELLA
• Motile strains of bacteria possess filamentous
appendages known as flagella which act as organs of
locomotion.
• Flagella are protein in nature.
• Depending on spp., there may be one or several
flagella per cell.
• The arrangement of the flagella may be
monotrichous, amphitrichous, peritrichous,
kophotrichous or lophotrichous.
Flagella Types
 Pili/Fimbriae
• Many gram-negative bacteria possess rigid
surface appendages called pili (L “hairs”) or
fimbriae (L “fringes”).
• They are shorter and finer than flagella;
• Composed of structural protein subunits termed
pilins.
• Two classes can be distinguished:
– i)Ordinary pili; play role in the adherence of
symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria to host cells,
– ii)Sex pili; responsible for the attachment of donor
and recipient cells in bacterial conjugation
 BACTERIAL SPORES
• Certain bacterial spp., especially Bacillus and Clostridium spp.,
develop a highly resistant resting phase or endospore, when
subjected to harsh conditions like starvation or high temperatures.

• Once a spore has formed, it has no metabolic activity and can remain
dormant for many years. The process of forming a spore is called
sporulation or sporogenesis and does not involve multiplication.

• Before a bacterial cell has formed a spore it is called a vegetative cell.

Reversion back to vegetative form is called germination, and is not a
means of reproduction, since one spore germinates into one cell.

• Extraordinary resistant to heat and chemicals.

• Spores are not usually seen in clinical specimens from patients.