Bacterial cell wall
Bacterial Cell Wall
The Bacterial Cell Wall (pronunciation: /bækˈtɪəriəl sɛl wɔːl/) is a crucial component of the bacteria structure that provides physical protection and mediates all interactions between the bacteria and its environment.
Etymology
The term "Bacterial Cell Wall" is derived from the Latin bacterium, meaning "small staff", and the Old English weall, meaning "rampart".
Structure
The Bacterial Cell Wall is a rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane. It is primarily composed of peptidoglycan, a polymer of sugars and amino acids. The structure of the cell wall varies between different types of bacteria, mainly Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria.
Gram-positive Bacteria
In Gram-positive bacteria, the cell wall is thick and consists of several layers of peptidoglycan, with teichoic acids embedded in it.
Gram-negative Bacteria
In contrast, Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer, located between the inner and outer cell membrane. The outer membrane contains lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are unique to Gram-negative bacteria.
Function
The Bacterial Cell Wall serves several functions. It provides the bacteria with structural integrity and protection against mechanical stress and osmotic pressure. It also plays a role in bacterial pathogenicity, as components of the cell wall can trigger immune responses in the host organism.
Related Terms
- Cell Membrane
- Peptidoglycan
- Teichoic Acids
- Lipopolysaccharides
- Gram-positive Bacteria
- Gram-negative Bacteria
- Pathogenicity
- Osmotic Pressure
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