Prokaryotic Cell Walls & Membranes

Flashcards covering the structure, function, and components of prokaryotic cell walls and membranes, including peptidoglycan and bacterial shapes.

Cell wall

complex, semi-rigid structure surrounding the cell membrane that provides support and protection like the "Frame of the house".

Osmotic lysis

The bursting of a cell that occurs when water enters; the cell wall prevents this by resisting high internal pressure.

Bacterial internal pressure

The amount of pressure pushing outward in bacteria, which ranges from $10$ to $25$ atmospheres.

Cocci

A sphere-shaped bacterium, a form determined by the cell wall.

Bacillus

A rod-shaped bacterium, a form determined by the cell wall.

Spirillum

A spiral-shaped bacterium, a form determined by the cell wall.

Peptidoglycan

The major component of bacterial cell walls; it is only found in bacteria and not in fungi, Archaea, or humans.

NAG

N-acetylglucosamine, one of the repeating sugar units that makes up the structure of peptidoglycan.

NAM

N-acetylmuramic acid, one of the repeating sugar units that makes up the structure of peptidoglycan.

Integral Proteins

Proteins located within the membrane structure.

Peripheral Proteins

Proteins located on the edges or surface of the membrane structure.

Hydrophilic

The portion of the membrane located on the outside.

Hydrophobic

The portion of the membrane located on the inside.