3.9-3.10-Capsule-and-Endospore

Capsule

A tightly bound glycocalyx adhering to the cell wall, often composed of polysaccharides.

Glycocalyx

A sticky, gel-like layer surrounding the cell wall that can be loosely or tightly bound.

Capsular Staining

A differential staining technique used to visualize the presence of bacterial capsules.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate molecule composed of long chains of monosaccharide units, often forming the structure of bacterial capsules.

Desiccation

The process of drying out; capsules help protect bacteria from dehydration.

Phagocytosis

The process by which certain cells engulf and digest microorganisms; capsules make bacteria less vulnerable to this process.

India Ink

A staining agent used in capsule staining that provides a semi-opaque background.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

A pathogenic bacterium known for having a capsule that increases its virulence.

Sporulation

The process by which bacteria form endospores, allowing them to survive adverse conditions.

Endospore

A dormant, resistant structure formed by certain bacteria to survive extreme environmental conditions.

Schaeffer-Fulton Method

A staining technique used to visualize endospores, which involves malachite green as the primary stain.

Germination

The process by which an endospore rehydrates and becomes a vegetative cell.

Vegetative cell

An actively dividing cell that is not in the dormant endospore state.

Clostridium

A genus of anaerobic, Gram-positive, spore-forming bacteria that includes pathogens causing diseases like tetanus.

Bacillus

A genus of aerobic, Gram-positive rods that are known for their ability to form spores.