Cell Bio: Lecture-1

Size of Living Things

1 m = 100 cm = 1,000mm = 1,000,000 m = 1,000,000,000nm 1mm = 1000 m = 1000000nm 1 m = 1000nm

Diagrams: http://www.cellsalive.com/howbig.htm

The Cellular Level of Organization

Living things are constructed of cells. Living things may be unicellular or multicellular. Cell structure is diverse but all cells share common characteristics. Cells are small so they can exchange materials with their surroundings. Surface area relative to the volume decreases as size of cell increases. - limits the size of cells

___________________ states:
1. All organisms are composed of one or more cells. 2. Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in organisms. 3. All cells come only from other cells.

Lecture 1
Prokaryote Cell Structure & Function
Cell Diagram: Mariana Ruiz, pub domain

Two basic types of cells

_____________________

_____________________

Diagrams: Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cell, Mariana Ruiz

Prokaryotes
Tell me about Prokaryotes

Binary Fission

Diagrams: Prokaryotic Mariana Ruiz Binary Fission, JW Schmidt

Prokaryote Genetics
___________ Region of cytoplasm where chromosomal DNA is located. Usually a singular, circular chromosome

____________ Small extra piece of chromosome/genetic material. 5 - 100 genes Not critical to everyday functions.

Can provide genetic information to promote:

- Antibiotic resistance
- Virulence factors
(molecules produced by pathogen that specifically influence host's function to allow the pathogen to thrive)

- Promote conjugation

(transfer of genetic material between bacteria through cell-to-cell contact)

STRUCTURE OF MICOBIAL CELLS

Prokaryotes

______________

Also known as proto-plasm.

Gel-like matrix of water, enzymes, nutrients, wastes, and gases and contains cell structures. Location of growth, metabolism, and replication.

______________ Bacterias way of storing nutrients Staining of some granules aids in identification
STRUCTURE OF MICOBIAL CELLS

Prokaryotes
_______________ Found within cytoplasm or attached to plasma membrane.

What are they made of? What do they do?

Composed of a small (30S) subunit and a large (50S) subunit. Cell may contain thousands of ribosomes. _________________ Cellular "scaffolding" or "skeleton" within the cytoplasm. Major advance in prokaryotic cell biology in the last decade has been discovery of the prokaryotic cytoskeleton.
Eukaryotic Cells

Previously thought to be a feature only of eukaryotic cells.

Diagrams/Photos: Fluorescent Cell: NIH, Pub Domain

Prokaryotes - Plasma Membrane

Separates the cell from its environment. Phospholipid molecules oriented so that hydrophilic (__________) heads directed outward and hydrophobic (__________) tails directed inward. Proteins embedded in two layers of lipids (lipid bilayer). ___________________ to allow substances to pass into and out of the cell.

Diagrams: Prokaryotic Cell, Mariana Ruiz Membrane: NIST

Prokaryotes Plasma Membrane as a Barrier

Primary function of plasma membrane regulate movement of molecules entering or leaving cell. Movement of molecules across plasma membrane requires energy.

PASSIVE TRANSPORT Movement of molecules is passive if no energy sources of the cell are expended. _____________ = when molecules move from a higher to a lower concentration.

What type of things might affect the rate of diffusion?

Diffusion Animation: biologycorner.com

Prokaryotes Plasma Membrane as a Barrier

PASSIVE TRANSPORT (Continued)

_____________ Diffusion Proteins assist in diffusion of molecules across plasma membrane.

Movement only occurs in the presence of a concentration gradient. Some molecules move across the membrane more quickly if diffusion is facilitated by a carrier molecule.

Diagram: Facilitated diffusion, Mariana Ruiz

Prokaryotes Plasma Membrane as a Barrier

Osmosis Diffusion of ________ across the plasma membrane. Environment surrounding cells may contain amounts of dissolved substances (solutes) that are equal to less than greater than those found within the cell.

Tonicity

__________: no net movement of water between cell and environment __________: a higher concentration of solute. __________: a lower concentration of solute. Water will always move toward a hypertonic environment!!

Diagrams: Osmosis - www.scienceaid.co.uk/biology/plants/osmosis.html Blood Cells: Mariana Ruiz

Prokaryotes Plasma Membrane as a Barrier

___ Active TRANSPORT How most molecules move across the plasma membrane. Analogous to a pump moving water uphill. Types of active transport are classified by type of energy used to drive molecules across membranes.

ATP Driven Active Transport

Energy from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) drives substances across the plasma membrane with the aid of carrier molecules.

Diagram: Source unknown

Prokaryotes Cell Wall

Peptidoglycan is a huge polymer of interlocking chains of identical peptidoglycan monomers.

Backbone of peptidoglycan molecule composed of two derivatives of glucose: N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) N-acetlymuramic acid (NAM) NAG / NAM strands are connected by interpeptide bridges.

Peptidoglycan

- Rigid mechanical support - Freely permeable to solutes

Image: Peptindoglycan Structure: NicolasGrandjean

Prokaryotes - Cell Wall

From the peptidoglycan inwards all bacteria are very similar. Going further out, the bacterial world divides into two major classes (plus a couple of odd types). These are: Gram-positive Gram-negative

Images: PHIL Public Health Image Library

Prokaryotes - Cell Wall: Gram-Negative & Gram-Positive

Gram-positive
Peptidoglycan makes up as much as 90% of the thick, compact cell wall.
Image: Prokaryotic Cell, Mariana Ruiz Gram +-, Julian Onions

Gram-negative
More chemically complex and thinner.

Peptidoglycan only 5 20% of the cell wall.

Peptidoglycan not outermost layer, between the plasma membrane and the outer membrane.

Outer membrane is similar to the plasma membrane, but is less permeable and composed of lipopolysaccharides (LPS).
LPS is a harmful substance classified as an endotoxin,

The space between the cell wall and the plasma membrane is called the periplasm.

Why are these differences in cell wall structure so important? Gram-negative bacteria: fewer interpeptide bridges but have an outer membrane made of lipopolysaccharides LPS.

Penicillins and cephalosporins interfere with linking of Interpeptides, but cant easily get to in gram- bacteria.
Cell walls without enough of these intact cross-links are structurally weak, and disintegrate when cells divide. This is how penicillins and cephalosporins work. Since the eukaryotic cells of humans do not have cell walls, our cells are not damaged by these drugs. Microorganisms that do not contain peptidoglycan are not susceptible to these drugs. Images: Sources unknown

Prokaryotes - Glycocalyx
Some bacteria have an additional layer outside of the cell wall called the glycocalyx. This additional layer can come in one of two forms: 1. Slime Layer 2. Capsule

STRUCTURE OF MICOBIAL CELLS

Prokaryotes - Glycocalyx
Some bacteria have an additional layer outside of the cell wall called the glycocalyx. This additional layer can come in one of two forms: 1. ______________________ glycoproteins loosely associated with the cell wall. Slime layers cause bacteria to adhere to solid surfaces and help prevent the cell from drying out.

Streptococcus

The slime layer of Gram+ Streptococcus mutans allows it to accumulate on tooth enamel (yuck mouth and one of the causes of cavities). Other bacteria in the mouth become trapped in the slime and form a biofilm & eventually a buildup of plaque.

Staphylococcus

The slime layer of Gram+ Staphylococcus allows it to thrive in the salty, hypertonic environment of the skin. Glycocalyces are not specific to Gram+ or Gram- bacteria, sometimes only some members of a certain species (strains) have a glycocalyx, whereas others dont.

STRUCTURE OF MICOBIAL CELLS

Prokaryotes - Glycocalyx
2. ___________________ polysaccharides firmly attached to the cell wall. Capsules adhere to solid surfaces and to nutrients in the environment. Adhesive power of capsules is a major factor in the initiation of some bacterial diseases. Capsule also protect bacteria from being phagocitized by cells of the hosts immune system.

STRUCTURE OF PROKAROTIC CELLS

Prokaryotes - Glycocalyx
Bacterial Capsule and Meningococcal Infection Meningococcal infection is caused by meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria

meningitidis).

Causes: 1. meningococcal meningitis (infection of the meninges/spinal cord) 2. meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning).
Of the two forms, meningococcal septicaemia is the most dangerous. Meningococcal bacteria are the most common cause of bacterial meningitis.

Meningococcal bacteria grow in pairs called diplococci often surrounded by a capsule coat. Over a million of these would fit on the head of a pin.

STRUCTURE OF PROKAROTIC CELLS

Prokaryotes - Endospores
Dormant, tough, non-reproductive structure produced by small number of bacteria. Primary function of endospores: _________________________ _________________________ Resistant to radiation, desiccation, lysozyme, temperature, starvation, and chemical disinfectants. Endospores commonly found in soil and water, where they may survive for long periods of time.
Allow bacteria to survive in suspended animation when environmental conditions are not suitable. Kind of like a plant seed..When conditions are right the endospore will sprout a living bacterium.

A stained preparation of Bacillus subtilis showing endospores as green and the vegetative cell as red

STRUCTURE OF PROKAROTIC CELLS

Clostridium difficile (aka C dif or CDF) ________________

The most significant cause of pseudomembranous colitis Severe infection of the colon, often happening after normal gut flora is eradicated by use of antibiotics. The C. difficile bacteria naturally resides in the body, but becomes overgrown. C. difficile overgrowth is harmful because the bacterium releases toxins that cause: * Bloating and constipation * Diarrhea with abdominal pain * Severe diarrhea with mucus and blood present in feces * Body aches and severe abdominal pain caused from ulcerated intestines Treatment includes specific anticlostridial antibiotics, e.g. STRUCTURE OF PROKAROTIC CELLS metronidazole or vancomycin.

Prokaryotes Surface Appendages

Some prokaryotes have distinct appendages that allow them to move about or adhere to solid surfaces. Consist of delicate stands of proteins. _Flagella Long, thin extensions that allow some bacteria to move about freely in aqueous environments. Axial filaments__ (endoflagella) Wind around bacteria, causing movement in waves. _Fimbria Most Gram- bacteria have these short, fine appendages surrounding the cell. Gram+ bacteria dont have. No role in motility. Help bacteria adhere to solid surfaces. Major factor in virulence. ____Pili Tubes that are longer than fimbriae, usually shorter than flagella. Use for movement, like grappling hooks, and also use conjugation pili (singular = pilus) to transfer plasmids.

Images: Flagella: Mike Jones Wiki Axial Filament: Indiana USchool of Med EColi: Pub Library of Science

Before You Leave

Turn in your Getting to Know You sheets. This will show me that you attended class today. For future lectures, you will be turning in the answer to an essay question that I will assign at the end of class. The turned in essay question will also mark your attendance.