Structure and morphology of

Bacterial cell
In the 3 domains of life bacteria encompass one of them

• Bacteria are microscopic single celled organisms that

thrive in diverse environments. These organisms can
live in soil, the ocean and inside the human gut.
Size
Most bacteria range
from 0.2 to 2.0 µm in
diameter and
2-8 µm in length and
has a total mass of
1-10 pg.
 Shapes of bacteria
• The three basic shapes of bacteria are
 Coccus (spherical)
 Bacillus (rod shaped)
 Spiral (twisted)
Generally most bacteria are monomorphic, while some are
pleomorphic.
 Cocci
• Cocci may be oval, elongated or flattened on one side.
 Bacilli
• The cylinder or rod shaped bacteria are called bacillus
(plural:bacilli)
 Spiral
• Spirilla are curved bacteria which can range from gently
curved shape to a cock-screw like spiral.
Structure of bacterial cell
 Structure external to cell wall

• Many substances secrete on their surface a substance

called Glycocalyx.
• Glycocalyx is a term used for substances that
surround cells.
• Glycocalyx is a coating or layer of molecules that is
external to cell wall.
• If the substance is organized and is firmly attached to
cell wall, the glycocalyx is described as capsule. If
the substance is loosely attached to the cell wall, the
glycocalyx is described as slime layer.
 Cell wall

 The cell wall of bacteria is composed of

peptidoglycan (also known as murein).

 Polypeptide consist of a repeating disaccride attached

by polypeptides.

 The disaccharide portion is made up of

monosaccaride called
NAG (N-acetylglucosamine)
NAM (N-acetylmuramic acid)
 Plasma membrane
• Plasma membrane is semi permeable, of
5-10nm.

• Plasma membrane is a thin structure lying inside the

cell wall and enclosing the cytoplasm

• Plasma membrane is composed of phospholipids, that

are lipid bilayers.
 Cytoplasm
• The cytoplasm of bacterial cell is where the cell
growth, metabolism are carried out.

• It is a gel-like matrix that is composed of water

enzymes, nutrients, waste and gases.

• The cell envelope encases the cytoplasm and all its

components. It helps to distribute water, oxygen
through out the cell.
• Nucleoid (DNA): The nucleoid is a region of
cytoplasm where chromosomal DNA is located. It is
not membrane bounded. It contains all the genetic
instructions used in the development and functions of
bacterium.

• Plasmid: Plasmids are small circular extra

chromosomal genetic structures that are physically
separated from chromosomal DNA They replicate
independently.
 Flagella
• Some bacterial cell have flagella (singular:flagellum)
which are long filamentous appendages that propel
bacteria.
• They are thin structures of around 20µm but long up
to (3-12µm). They can be found either or both ends of
bacterium or all over its surface.
• They are made of protein flagellin.
• A flagellum has 3 basic parts,
o Filament
o Hook
o Basal body
 Pilli and Fimbriae
• The structure termed pilus and fimbria refer to
bacterial surface appendages that provide adhesion.

• Fimbriae: are small, bristle like fibers sprouting off

the surface of bacterial cells.

• Pilli are usually longer than fimbriae and number

only one to two per cell. It is made of special protein
called pilin.
 Ribosomes

• A bacterial cells contain thousands of tiny discrete

units called ribosomes.
• Chemically ribosome is a combination of special type
of RNA called ribosomal RNA or rRNA (about 60%)
and protein (about 40%).
• Accordingly, prokaryotic ribosomes are called 70S
ribosomes.
• The subunits of 70S ribosomes are small 30S subunit
and large 50S subunit.
• Mesosome: Some vesicular, pocket like structures are
formed as invaginations of plasma membrane into the
cytoplasm. They are important in cellular respiration
of the cell.

• Granular inclusions: Within cytoplasm of bacteria

are several kind of reserve deposits, known as
inclusions. These particles are not enclosed by a
membrane and their main function is to act as storage
units for bacteria.
 Bacterial identification
• The Gram stain is a test used to identify bacteria by
the composition of their cell wall, named for Hans
Christian Gram, who developed the technique in
1884.