Microbiology - Cell Structure and Function

Flashcards generated from lecture notes on cell structure and function in microbiology.

What is the main topic of the upcoming metabolism unit in microbiology?

How cells store and use energy.

What are the two important molecules that are the focus of the pre-lab work for the metabolism unit?

ATP and NADH.

In a gram positive cell, why is the inner phospholipid layer being present not actually part of the cell wall?

The phospholipid inner layer isn't part of the cell wall, that's the cell membrane.

What are the similarities between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells?

Cell membranes, ribosomes, and DNA.

What transport mechanisms do both prokaryotes and eukaryotes use?

Simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.

Which cells contain sterols in their cell membranes?

Eukaryotic cells.

Why do eukaryotic cells have sterols in their cell membranes?

To help keep them fluid.

What is the specific sterol found in human cell membranes?

Cholesterol.

What is the sterol found in fungal cell membranes?

Ergosterol.

Do bacteria have sterols in their cell membranes?

They don't have sterols in their membrane.

What is the function of an endospore?

A dormant form of the bacteria that's made to withstand really harsh conditions.

What macromolecule makes up the cell membrane?

Phospholipids.

What is the function of a cell membrane?

It's the separation between the inside and the outside of the cell.

What are capsules primarily made of?

Carbohydrates.

What are the two main functions of the capsule?

Adhesion and protection from white blood cells.

What are bacterial cell walls made of?

Peptidoglycan.

What are plant cell walls made of?

Cellulose.

What is the main function of a cell wall?

Structure and protection from osmotic pressure.

What is the order of the cell layers from innermost to outermost?

Membrane, cell wall, capsule.

If prokaryotes don't have mitochondria, how do they make ATP?

They do it in their intercellular fluid.

What is a lysosome?

A compartment in the cell called a vesicle, filled with digestive enzymes.

What is selective toxicity?

A drug that will kill the pathogen without killing the patient.

Which molecular target we find exclusively gram positive bacteria?

Peptidoglycan.

If I wanna target ribosomes, why isn't it enough just to say you target ribosomes?

They're different enough that I can differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes.

Which ribosomes should I target if I wanna treat the eukayotic pathogen, but not kill the agent?

Eukaryotic ribosomes.

What selective toxic could I target between fungi and humans?

Sterols.