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IN
MICROBIOLOGY
Lipid and lipoprotein High (due to presence of outer membrane) Low (acid-fast
content bacteria have
lipids linked to
peptidoglycan)
Cell wall composition The cell wall is 70-120 Armstrong thick two The cell wall is
layered.The lipid content is 20-30% (High), 100-120
whereas Murein content is 10-20% (Low). Armstrong
thick, single
layered. The
Lipid content
of the cell wall
is low ,
whereas
Murein
content is 70-
80% (Higher).
Gram-negative Gram-positive Bacteria
Bacteria
4. How does the acid-fast cell wall differ from the gram negative and gram positive cell wall?
Gram-positive cell walls consist of many layers of peptidoglycan and also contain
teichoic acids. Teichoic acids
Gram-negative bacteria have a lipopolysaccharide-lipoprotein-phospholipid outer
membrane surrounding a thin (sometimes a single) peptidoglycan layer. Gram-negative
cell walls have no teichoic acids.
A gram + cell wall (thick) retains the crystal-violet iodine complex better in teh presence
of decolorizer as compared to gram - cell, which has a thin cell wall
Peptidoglycan is the basic structural components of most bacterial cell walls. It is a
molecule composed of four amino acids (peptido-) and two sugars (-glycan). These
individual peptidoglycan units are cross-linked throughout the cell wall, providing a
tough protective barrier. The enzyme Transpeptidase performs the cross-linking
reaction and is target of Beta-lactam Antibiotics and Vancomycin.
Gram Positive Bacteria possess a thick layer of peptidoglycan that directly
invests the cell membrane. The gram positive cell wall often contains chains of the
sugar Teichoic Acid which is highly inflammatory and can induce Septic Shock when
released at systemically high concentrations in humans.
Gram negative bacteria possess a much thinner layer of peptidoglycan that lies
above but does not directly invest the cell membrane and does not contain Teichoic
Acid . Above the peptidoglycan layer lies a second lipid bilayer called the "Outer
Membrane" which possess a unique molecule called Lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Lipopolysaccharide contains both lipid (lipo-) and multiple sugar (-polysaccharide)
components and induces severe inflammation in humans when released. At high
systemic levels it can induce Septic Shock. Multiple molecules are present in the space
between the gram negative inner and outer membranes (termed the Periplasmic
Space), including bacterial proteins which can inactivate antibiotics such as Beta-
lactamases.
Acid-Fast Bacteria possess a unique cell wall architecture different from both
gram negative and gram positive bacteria. The Acid-Fast cell wall consists of a thick,
outer lipid-rich layer composed primarily of the fatty acid "Mycolic Acid". This lipid layer
lies on top of a layer of peptidoglycan and the sugar arabinogalactan which in turn
invest the inner lipid membrane common to all bacteria. The thick outer mycolic acid
layer renders acid-fast bacteria resistant to gram stain. When stained with alternative
dyes, the cell wall is resistant to decolorization with acid alcohol, thus giving these
bacteria their namesake of "Acid-Fast".
A few bacteria do not possess cell walls and are contained only by the inner
membrane. Not surprisingly, these bacteria are pleomorphic and thus lack a distinct
shape.
5. How does the cell membrane of the Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya differ from each other?
Archaea
Prokaryote
Lives in more extreme environment than bacteria
Does not have Peptidoglycan in cell wall
Has unique RNA
Not sensitive to antibiotics that affect bacteria but
are to some that affect eukarya
Bacteria
Prokaryote
Has Peptidoglycan
Has unique RNA
Sensitive to traditional antibiotic
Eukarya
Eukaryote
Has different kingdoms under it
Resistant to antibiotics that affect bacteria
Not all have cell walls, but if do it does not contain
Peptidoglycan