Lecture 3: Cellular structure of

bacteria (part2)
MSC SOMYA H. TRURKI
 Flagella
The flagella (singular flagellum) are made up of a class of
linear proteins called flagellins. The basal body traverses the
cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane to anchor the flagellum
and enables it to whirl about its axis like a propeller.
Function: Flagella give bacteria the ability to move about
activity.
 Arrangement of flagella
Bacteria may have one, a few, or many flagella in different positions
.on the cell
Monotrichous - single flagellum .1
amphitrichous a flagellum at each end .2
3. lophotrichous (clusters of flagella)
4. peritrichous (flagella entire surface of cell),
 Capsule
The capsule of most bacteria consists of a polysaccharide. The
bacteria of a single species can be classified in different capsular
serovars (or serotypes) based on the fine chemical structure of this
polysaccharide.
Function:
1-Attachment to surfaces
2-protection against phagocytic engulfment, occasionally killing or
digestion
3- reserve of nutrients or protection against desiccation
 fimbriae or Pili

fimbriae or pili are elongated or hair like structures made of protein

which project from the cell surface.
they are specifically on those gram negative cell. virulence of some
bacterial pathogens.
Fimbriae fine filaments of protein just 2–10 nm in diameter and up
to several micrometers in length.
 Function of pili
• Involved in attachment to surfaces.
• Specialized pili, the sex pili, allows the transfer of genetic
material from one bacteria to another in a process called
conjugation where they are called conjugation pili or "sex
pili".
• generate movement.
• Helps in colonization and pathogenicity.