1. SC246: Microbiology
Unit 1 Seminar

2. What do the terms Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic mean
What do the terms Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic mean? What are some of the major differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells?

3. Prokaryotic Cells Comparing Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Prokaryote comes from the Greek words for prenucleus.
Eukaryote comes from the Greek words for true nucleus.

4. Prokaryote Eukaryote Paired chromosomes, in nuclear membrane
One (usually) circular chromosome, not in a membrane
No membrane-enclosed organelles
Peptidoglycan cell walls (usually)
Binary fission
Paired chromosomes, in nuclear membrane
Organelles
Simple cell walls (IF present)
Mitosis

5. From an evolutionary prospective, Prokaryotic cells are much less complex than Eukaryotic cells. It seems that we wouldn’t have much of a problem fighting them off, right? However, this is obviously not the case. Offer an explanation for this. WHY do you think we still get infections and illnesses?

6. What is the Gram stain, and why is it a fundamental part of identifying bacteria? What are the major differences between Gram negative and Gram positive cells?

7. Gram stain The Gram stain was developed by Christian Gram in 1884
Primary stain of identification in microbiology lab
Used to classify bacteria as either gram positive or gram negative
Most, but not all, bacteria can be stained using this method

8. Gram Stain Mechanism Staining procedure:
1.Crystal violet and Gram’s iodine: Primary stain
2. Stain is decolorized with 95% ethanol
3. Counterstain: Safranin
4. Water rinse
Gram + retain CV and remain purple
Gram – retain safranin
* Based on cell physiology

9. Differential Stains: Gram Stain
Figure 3.11b

10. Streptococcus pyogenes Gram +

11. Gram -
Spirillum volutans
(harmless bacteria)

12. Peptidoglycan
Polymer of disaccharide N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) & N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)
Linked by polypeptides
Figure 4.13a

13. Figure 4.13b, c

14. Gram-positive cell walls Gram-negative cell walls
Thick peptidoglycan
Teichoic acids
In acid-fast cells, contains mycolic acid
Thin peptidoglycan
No teichoic acids
Outer membrane

15. Gram-Positive cell walls
Thick layer of peptidoglycan
Figure 4.13b

16. Gram-Negative Outer Membrane
Lipopolysaccharides, lipoproteins, phospholipids.
Forms the periplasm between the outer membrane and the plasma membrane.
Protection from phagocytes, complement, antibiotics.
O polysaccharide antigen, e.g., E. coli O157:H7.
Lipid A is an endotoxin.
Porins (proteins) form channels through membrane

17. Gram-Negative Outer Membrane
Figure 4.13c

18. The medical and scientific communities use their knowledge of Prokaryotic cells to target infectious microbes and clear out infections. Given just what you have learned so far, how do you think they might go about this?

19. Questions??

20. References
Tortora, G., Funke, B., & Case, C. (2007). Microbiology: An Introduction (8th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson.