3. Plasma membrane: It is inner to cell wall and forms boundary of cytoplasm.

• It isselectively permcable thereby regulates the flow of specific molecules into and
out of the cell.
It is responsible for the relationship or interaction of the ccll to the outside environment.
• It has certain carrier molecules embcdded within the membrane that bind to specific
molecules and transport them in a spccific direction.
The menmbrane has a typical unit membrane structure.
• Plasma membrane of bacteria differs from those of eukaryotes in the following ways:
Bacterial plasma membranc lacks sterols such as cholesterol in its bilipid layer.
Some bacteria do have pentacylic sterol like molecules termed as hopanoids
in plasma membrane. These hopanoids are known to stabilise the bacterial
membrane.

Functions
The plasma membrane of bacterial cell performs a variety of different roles successfully.
1. Retains the cytoplasm and separates it from the external surroundings.

2. Serves as a selectively permeable barrier allowing particular ions and molecules

to pass in and out while preventing the others.
3. Prevents loss of essential components through leakage and helps in the movement
of molecules which otherwise will not cross the membrane.
Mesosomes: They are common in bacterial cells. They are formed by the extension of the
plasma membrane in the cell, in the form of vesicles, tubules and lamellae.
They are commonly seen in Gram negative bacteria. Sometimes they are
associated with the cell wall of the dividing cells or with the chromosomes.
Functions: They were discovered long ago. Their exact function is not known. It is
postulated that they may be involved in the following functions:
(i) Formation of cell wall
(i) Chromosome (DNA) replication and distribution to daughter cells
(ii) Help in respiration
(iv) Secretion process
(v) Increase in plasma membrane surface area and enzymatic content
Chromatophores: In some prokaryotes like cyanobacteria, these are membranous
extensions into the cytoplasm.
• These are internal membrane systems containing pigments.
They are extensive and complex in photosynthetic bacteria like
cyanobacteria and purple bacteria.
• In the nitrifying bacteria, these membranes may form aggregates of
spherical flattened or tubular vesicles that increase the surface area and
allow greater metabolic activity.
Nucleoid Region
• The prokaryotes (bacterial cells) do not have a well defined nucleus.
• Their genetic material (DNA)is neither complexed with other molecules (proteins),
nor is packed in the chromosomes. It is in the form of a single circular DNA present
in the centre of the cell in area called nucleoid. This area is not separated from the
rest of the cell's interior by any membrane. In other words, prokaryotes do not have
a nuclear membrane.
• Nucleoid is usually associated with the mesosome. Since mesosome is the extension
of plasma membrane, it is believed that the bacterial DNA is attached to the plasma
membrane and that the plasma membrane may be involved in the separation of
duplicated DNA into daughter cells during division.
Genetic material
The genetic material is in the form of a single circular DNA. In some cases, DNA
and small amount of protein may also be present.