Structure/Function of Bacteria: Internal Components

MGI 301

glycogen

large, branched, polymer of glucose used for carbon storage

endospores

survival structure of gram-positive bacteria, resistant to external stressors such as temp, pH, drying, and chemicals

inclusions

intracellular structures composed of stored nutrients, proteins, or energy

polyphosphate granules

polymer of high energy phosphates used to store phosphates and energy, can substitute for ATP as an energy source

germination

the process of an endospore taking up water and beginning transcription and translation to form an active vegetative cell

spore coats

protein layer in an endospore between the exosporium and the cortex

spore acid-soluble proteins

proteins used in endospores that are stable to heat, chemicals, and radiation

sulfur granules

storage polymer made of sulfur that is used by sulfur-metabolizing bacteria to provide cell with energy

nucleoid

region in the cytoplasm of a prokaryotic cell that contains the twisted and compact chromosome, also the site of transcription + translation

exosporium

outermost protein layer of an endospore

dipicolinic acid

forms a complex with calcium to form the endospore core, when in the complex, removes free water molecules

core

the center of the endospore

endoflagella

flagella that run the periplasmic space of gram-negative bacteria, spirochete shape

topoisomerase

enzyme that cuts, rotates, and re-seal DNA

cortex

component layer of endospore, the peptidoglycan that surrounds the chromosome and is protected by spore coats

sporulation

formation of bacterial endospores due to declining growth conditions

bacillus subtilis

gram positive endospore-forming bacteria used to study endospores

gas vesicles

small membrane bilayer that provides photosynthetic aquatic prokaryotes bouyancy

vegetative

active cell that is capable of metabolism and binary fission