Nnn 09/22/21

Microbial Morphology
and Classification
Mrs. Mary Ann Barreo

Cell Structure and Taxonomy

 One of the mos t importa nt dis cove r ies
in biology occur red in 1665 whe n Hooke
(Englis h phys icis t), obs e rving a thin
Cells s lice of cor k us ing a crude micros cope ,
s a id tha t life ’s s ma lle s t s tr uctura l units
 Fundamental unit of any living organism. we re “little boxe s ” or “ce lls ” as he ca lled
 Categorized into two: the m (re minde d him of ba re rooms in a
– Eucaryotes mona s te r y).
= Any cell or organism that possesses a
clearly defined nucleus.  He wa s the firs t to us e the word ce ll.
– Procaryotes  He re corde d a ll his findings in the book,
= Any organism that lacks a distinct Micrographia .
nucleus and other organelles due to the
absence of internal membranes.  Hooke ’s dis cover y marked the
 Cytology – study of the structure and function of beginning of the cell theory (a ll living
cells. things a re compos e d of ce lls ).
 Because it exhibits the basic characteristics of life  If Hooke dis cove re d the ce ll in 1665 and
Le e uwe nhoe k was only able to us e a
Importance micros cope in 1674, why is Hooke not
cons ide red the Father of Microbiology?
Identification of various Understand differences in  Though Hooke ’s micros cope wa s
microorganisms metabolism ca pa ble of s howing lar ge ce lls , he
la cke d the re s olution tha t would have
= In healthcare, this is particularly important because we are a llowed him to s e e m icrobe s clea rly. It
able to identify which microorganisms can and cannot cause wa s va n L. who actually firs t obs e rved
disease. By understanding the metabolic processes of LIVE microorga nis m. Us ing the
microorganisms, we are able to know what promotes and micros cope s , he cre a te d
inhibits their growth.  1021 - The proper tie s of ma gnifying

Robert Hooke Matthias Schleiden Theodor Schwann

= In year 1665, he was the first who created
microscope but has a low resolution.

(Botanist) (Zoologists)

The one who discovered The one who discover

plant cells. animal cells.
 Classifications of Microorganism
Acellular
The Cell Theory (They don’t have Cellular
the (Consisting of cells, a cellular
characteristics of structure cellular growth)
life)
Viroids
Nucleus (These are the
= differentiates
carbon, oxygen, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Cellular Membrane
nitrogen) the function of the entire cell and acts
= Controls
= Encloses and command
asPrions
the holds the cell intact.
center of the cell because it
= Regulates the passage of nutrients,
Prokaryotes wastes
Eukaryotes
(Itcontains
isand
found inalmost intoall of the cells hereditary
products, secretions
information (DNA) and out of the cell.
animals)
 All living things are composed of cells. = Other Theterms:
=Viruses nucleuscellis themembrane, plasma organelle
most characteristic
 Cells are the basic units of structure and function in membrane, cytoplasmic
found in eucaryotic cells. membrane,
(Intracellular
plasmalemma
living things. parasites)
= It Components:
Three acts like an envelope: separating the
 New cells are produced from existing cells. contents inside and outsideArchaea
the cell and ensuring Algae
 Nucleoplasm Bacteria Fungi
the integrity of the cell
= Gelatinous as aorwhole.
matrix Withoutofthe
base material the nucleus
= Then Virchow used the cell theory to propose the theory of Cyanobacteria Protozoa
rd cell membrane,
(similar all
to the contents
cytoplasm). of the cell would
biogenesis (3 bullet). Cell is defined at the fundamental living spill causing the destruction of the cell.
unit of any organism because like the total organism, the cell  Chromosomes
= Embedded in the nucleoplasm.
exhibits the basic characteristics of life.
= Contains the DNA. Along the DNA are the
Characteristics of Life genes. The genes contain the genetic information
enabling the cell to produce a gene product
 Growth – increase in size (proteins) – necessary for carrying out the
 Reproduction – increase in number and can occur activities inside the cell.
simultaneously with growth. = Eukaryotes
Nuclear Membrane
(so named because they have a true
 Responsiveness –ability to change internal/external nucleus, = Covers
i.e. their the DNA
nucleus; contains bypores
is enclosed through
a nuclear
properties in reaction to changing conditions around or membrane) which are molecules
usually larger and more complexnucleus
can enter and exit the than
within them. (much
prokaryotes like cell membrane).
 Metabolism – all chemical reactions that occur within the
cell needed to grow, reproduce and be responsive. Nuclear pores

Characteristics Prokaryotes Eukaryotes Viruses

= Structurally, it is composed of large molecules of
Occurs in Does not
CHONS and phospholipids.
Growth Occurs in all
all occur
= “Fluid mosaic model” – because of the arrangement of
Occurs in Occurs
the phospholipids and proteins.
Reproduction Occurs in all
all inside cells
= Polar heads – phosphates (hydrophilic)
Occurs in Occur=inNonpolar tails – fatty acids (hydrophobic)
Responsiveness Occurs in all
all some’s Importance? – in the presence of water, they
Occurs in Uses host’s
form a self-sealing bilayer  breaks and tears in the
Metabolism Occurs in all
all metabolism
membrane heal themselves
= It acts like a skin around the cell, separating the
= The distinctive feature of prokaryotes is not on what theycontents
have of the cell from the outside. Substances inside
but on what they do not have. the cell – intracellular; substances outside –
= So basically, prokaryotes and eukaryotes exhibit all extracellular.
the
characteristics of life that’s why they are called “cellular” = Selectively permeable (only certain substance can
organisms while viruses are considered to be acellular because enter
theyand leave the cell).
lack some of the characteristics necessary for survival. = Large molecules (proteins) cannot pass because these
molecules are larger than the pores that function as
channels in the membrane.
= Smaller molecules (water, O2, CO2, simple sugars).
= That has semi- permeable membrane.
 Lysosomes
= Lysozymes and digestive enzymes break down
foreign materials, cell debris or the whole cell.
= Originates at the Golgi complex.

Nucleolus
= Dark area in the nucleus where the rRNA molecules
are manufactured.
= It is actually a condensed region of chromosomes
where rRNA is synthesized.
= The rRNA molecules then exit the nucleus and
become part of the structure of ribosomes.
= Makes ribosomes – sites of CHON synthesis in the
cell. Peroxisome
= Protects other parts of the cell from the
Cytoplasm harmful effect of hydrogen peroxide.
= Contains insoluble storage granules and organelles. = Structurally similar to lysosomes, but smaller
= Site for most of the cell’s metabolism. = How? Peroxisomes contain an enzyme called
= Semifluid, gelatinous, nutrient matrix catalase which breaks down H2O2 into water and
= Cytosol: cytoplasm minus granules and organelles oxygen.

Endoplasmic Reticulum: Passageway

= Highly convoluted system of membranes that are
interconnected and arranged to form a transport
network of tubules and sacs within the cytoplasm.

 Smooth ER
= Without attached ribosomes and plays a role in lipid
synthesis.
 Rough ER
= Amino acids are oxidized in peroxisomes as part of
= With attached ribosomes.
normal metabolism. H2o2 (a toxic substance) is a
byproduct of this process.
= However, peroxisomes also have the enzyme catalase
which decomposes h2o2 into harmless substances.
= Hydrogen peroxide is both generated and broken
down.
= Primarily found in mammalian liver cell: ALCOHOL.

ER with ribosomes

= CHON released from the ER are not mature. They must

undergo further processing in the Golgi complex before they
are able to perform their functions.
Mitochondria
= Site for ATP formation by cellular respiration.
= ATP molecules are the major energy
carrying/storing molecules within cells.
= Power plants, powerhouse, energy factories.

Cell Wall
= External structure that provides rigidity,
shape and protection.
= Provides support against osmotic pressure.
= Much simpler in structure compared to
prokaryotes.

= Composed of various polysaccharides unlike the

prokaryotes (peptidoglycans)
= Medically significant: antibiotics affect
peptidoglycans which are harmful to
= A mitochondrion consists of a double membrane: procaryotes (sp. bacteria) and therefore do not
 Outer – smooth affect human eukaryotic cells (discussed in
 Inner – arranged in a series of folds called cristae depth later).
(increases surface area on which chemical reactions
can occur  more ATP) Organism Composition
= Matrix – semifluid substance located at the center. Algae Cellulose
Plants Cellulose
Plastids Fungi Chitin/glucomannan
= Energy-producing organelle containing various
photosynthetic pigments.
= Found in plant cells and algae.
= Chloroplast is one type of plastid (site of
photosynthesis)  contains chlorophyll.
= Photosynthesis: conversion of light energy to
chemical energy (CO2 and H2O into CHO and O2).

Cytoskeleton
= Strengthens, supports and stiffens the cell giving
its shape.
= Runs throughout the cytoplasm and serves to… = Not all cells have cell walls.
Three types:
• Microtubules Flagella and Cilia
• Microfilaments = Organelles of locomotion which is eventually
• Intermediate filaments necessary for survival.
= Also serves in cell division, contraction and
motility.
Flagella
= Long, thin structure; moves in a whip-like motion
enabling the cell to “swim” through liquid
environments.

Cilia
= Shorter, hairlike, thinner and more numerous; moves
in a coordinated, rhythmic manner.
= Consists of nine pairs of microtubules arranged in a
ring, plus another two microtubules in the center of the
ring  9+2 array.
= Exhibits positive and negative phototaxis and
chemotaxis but do not run and tumble.
 Phototaxis is the ability of organisms to move
directionally in response to a light source.
 Chemotaxis is the directed motion of an
organism toward environmental conditions it
deems attractive and/or away from Cell Membrane
surroundings it finds repellent. = Same in structure and function to the
eukaryotic cell membrane.
= Consists of proteins and phospholipids (fluid
mosaic model).
= Selectively permeable – controls which
substances enter and leave the cell.

Fluid mosaic model


= Phospholipids in the presence of water form a self-sealing
bilayer such that any injury or tears in the membrane could
repair itself.
Mesosomes
= Site for cellular respiration in bacteria.
= Found at the inner folding of the cell membrane.
= Cellular respiration taking place here is similar to
the one occurring in the mitochondria of eucaryotes.
Chromosomes
= Single, long, supercoiled DNA molecules.
= Serves as the control center of the bacterial cell.
= Control center of the bacterial cell. Likened to the
nucleus of the eucaryotic cell (remember that
prokaryotes do not have a nuclear membrane to
separate the chromosomes from the rest of the cell,
they are just embedded in the cytoplasm).
= As control center of the cell, it guides cell division
and directs cellular activities.
Nucleoid
= DNA-occupied space within a bacterial cell.
= Contains the chromosomes
Plasmid
= Small, circular molecules of double stranded DNA
that are not part of the chromosomes.
= Referred to as extrachromosomal DNA which
means they are not in any way connected to the main
bacterial chromosome and they replicate
independently of chromosomal DNA.
= Normally a plasmid does not serve any purpose in
the survival of the bacteria which means that they can
be lost or gained without harming the cell.
= Under certain conditions however, they can be of
advantage: they carry genes for activities as antibiotic
resistance, production of toxins, synthesis of enzymes
(biotechnology).
Cytoplasm
= Semiliquid containing a complex mixture of all
materials required for metabolism.
= Water, CHON, CHO, lipids, ions, etc.
= Prokaryotic cytoplasm does not contain
cytoskeleton (microtubules, etc.)
Ribosomes (70S)
= Same function with eukaryotic ribosome.
= Site for CHON synthesis.
= Most of the cytoplasmic particles found in
prokaryotes are ribosomes (gives the
cytoplasm a granular appearance).
= Compared to a eukaryote, the ribosomes of
prokaryotes are smaller (70S = 50S+30S) and
less dense.
- Important in antibiotic therapy
(sp. Drugs that attach to
ribosomes and inhibit CHON
synthesis): because of this
difference, it will only affect the
bacteria and no other cells.
Cell Wall
= provides strong structural support that
prevents the cell from bursting or collapsing.
= consists of peptidoglycan (murein).
= Peptidoglycan (peptido=protein;
glycan=carbohydrate) is only found in bacteria
= Major function! Especially when the
pressure inside the cell is greater than that
outside the cell.
= It helps maintain the shape of the bacterium.
= Serves as a point of anchorage for flagella.
= Chemically complex when compared to
some eukaryotic cells.
= Surrounds the more fragile cell membrane
(compared to eukaryotes which does not have
cell wall).
= Clinically important because:
- It contributes to their ability to cause
disease and is the site of action of
some antibiotics.
- its chemical composition is used to
differentiate major types of bacteria.
Gram Positive Gram Negative
thick layer of thinner layer of
peptidoglycan peptidoglycan
+ +
teichoic and lipoteichoic complex layer of
acid macromolecules
= Cells walls are classified into two:
= Teichoic/lipoteichoic acid = provides rigidity to the
cell wall by attracting cations s/a magnesium and
sodium; prevents extensive cell wall breakdown and
possible cell lysis.
= Complex layer of macromolecules =
lipopolysaccharide (LPS). = Periplasmic space = space in between cell membrane
and cell wall.
Functions of LPS:
> Helps avoid phagocytosis and the actions of complement
(lyses cells).
> Provides a barrier to some antibiotics and digestive enzymes.

Characteristics Positive Negative

# of layers 1 2
Thickness Thick Thin
Outer membrane No Yes
Periplasmic
Narrow Extensive
space
Permeability More Less
= Because the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria contain a PG Content More Less
small amount of peptidoglycan, they are more prone to
mechanical breakage. = Permeability: due to number of layers.

Glycocalyx
= thick layer of materials produced by the cell
membrane and extruded outside the cell wall for
protection and adhesion.
= Glycocalyx meaning sugar coat.
= Composed of polysaccharide, polypeptide or
both.

Slime Layer Capsule

Not highly organized and Highly organized and
not firmly attached to the firmly attached to the cell
cell wall wall
Protect cells from desiccation
= LPS of G(-) cell walls contain a component called Lipid Enables bacteria to glide
Serves an antiphagocytic
and slide along solid
A. when a gram negative bacteria die, lipid A is released function
surface
into the bloodstream and acts as endotoxin (fever, dilation of
blood vessels, septic shock and blood clotting).
= Encapsulated bacteria are able to survive longer than
nonencapsulated bacteria.
= Therefore, capsulated bacteria are more pathogenic.

Capsulated versus Nonencapsulated

S-Colonies R-Colonies

Flagella = Prokaryotic flagella move by rotating either

= Primary function: motility or self-propulsion and clockwise or counterclockwise around its axis (results
eventually chemotaxis through runs and tumbles. from movement of the basal body).
= Run = also called swim, bacteria moving in one = Eukaryotic flagella undulate in a wavelike motion.
direction for a length of time.
= Tumble = periodic, abrupt, random changes in
direction; caused by reversal of flagellar rotation.

= Atrichous – without flagella

Testing for Motility

Stabbing a tiny mass of Microscopically through
cells into soft medium hanging drop technique

= One advantage of motility is that it enables the

bacteria to move toward a favorable or good
environment or away from an hostile one.
= This is what we call taxis or the ability to move
away or toward to a certain stimulus.

Fimbriae (Pili)
= Observed mostly on Gram-negative
bacteria.
Parts: = Thinner than flagella, more rigid and not
1. Basal body associated with motility.
2. Hook = Composed of protein called pilin.
3. Filament
For attachment For conjugation
= Allows 360 degrees rotation
= Pili can help bacteria adhere to epithelial cells in the
= Bacterial flagella consist of 3,4 or more threads of protein body, cause colonization and eventually cause disease.
(flagellin)  it differs with the eukaryotes which is composed = Sex pilus – conjugation or transfer of genetic
of microtubules. material usually in the form of plasmid.
= Basal body – anchors the flagellum to the cell wall and
plasma membrane.
= Hook – connects the basal body with the rest of the flagella.
 Eukaryotes Prokaryotes

Size
10 – 100 micrometers 0.2 – 2.0 micrometers

Nucleus
Present Absent

Glycocalyx
Present in some animal Present as organized
cells capsule or slime
Endospores
= Either terminal or subterminal.
Motility
= Related to the survival rather than on the
reproduction of bacteria. Undulating flagella Rotating flagella

>When moisture or nutrient supply is low. Flagella

>Formed through sporulation/sporogenesis. Present in some Present in some
>Resistant to heat, cold, drying and most chemicals  can
survive for many years. Cilia
Present in some Absent in all
= Terminal spores – produced at the very end of the
bacterial cell. Fimbriae and Pili
= Subterminal – elsewhere Absent in all Present in all
= Usually seen in gram positive bacteria.
Cell wall
Present in most Present in most

Cytosol
Present in all Present in all

Endospores
Absent in all Present in some

Ribosomes
Larger (80S) Smaller (70S)

Nucleus
Present in all Absent in all

Nuclear Membrane
Present in all Absent in all
= The process of sporulation begins when a key nutrient,
carbon or nitrogen, becomes depleted.
Endoplasmic reticulum
= When the spore matures, the original cell lyses and the spore
Present in all Absent in all
is released.
= An endospore does not carry out metabolic reaction –
dormant/hibernating state Mitochondria
= Germination – return to vegetative state; is not a means of Present in most Absent in all
reproduction (the process does not increase the number of
cells, still one cell results)