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5.1.4 Bacterial Morphology Gram Stain Info

Peptidoglycan is a polymer that forms the rigid cell wall structure of bacteria, giving shape and protection. Gram positive bacteria have thick layers of peptidoglycan that retain crystal violet dye, appearing purple under Gram staining. Their cell walls also contain teichoic acid and may include mycolic acid. Gram negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane, appearing pink under Gram staining. Both types can secrete exotoxins while only Gram negatives produce endotoxins.

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209 views7 pages

5.1.4 Bacterial Morphology Gram Stain Info

Peptidoglycan is a polymer that forms the rigid cell wall structure of bacteria, giving shape and protection. Gram positive bacteria have thick layers of peptidoglycan that retain crystal violet dye, appearing purple under Gram staining. Their cell walls also contain teichoic acid and may include mycolic acid. Gram negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane, appearing pink under Gram staining. Both types can secrete exotoxins while only Gram negatives produce endotoxins.

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MATTHEW DIAZ
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© © All Rights Reserved
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5.1.

4 Bacterial Morphology
Peptidoglycan (pep-tid-o-gly-can) is a molecule
found only in the cell walls of bacteria. Its
rigid structure gives the bacterial cell shape,
surrounds the plasma membrane and provides 
prokaryotes with protection from the environment.
Peptidoglycan is a huge organic polymer; a mesh-
like series interlocking strands of sugars –
N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N- acetylmuramic
acid (NAM) – cross-linked by short amino acid 
bridges.

The Gram positive cell wall has several layers of peptidoglycan. The thick layers
of peptidoglycan help to support the cell membrane and provide a place of
attachment for other molecules. The thick layers also enable Gram positive bacteria
to retain most of the crystal violet dye during Gram staining causing them to appear
purple. Gram positive cell walls also contain chains of teichoic acid that extend
from the plasma membrane through the peptidoglycan cell wall. These sugar-
containing polymers assist in maintaining cell shape and play a role in proper cell
division. Teichoic acid helps some Gram positive bacteria to infect cells and cause
disease.

Some Gram positive bacteria have an additional component, mycolic acid, in their
cell walls. Mycolic acids produce a waxy outer layer that provides additional
protection for mycobacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Gram positive
bacteria with mycolic acid are also called acid-fast bacteria because they require a
special staining method, known as acid-fast staining, for microscope observation.

Pathogenic Gram positive bacteria cause disease by the secretion of toxic proteins
known as exotoxins. Exotoxins are synthesized within the prokaryotic cell and
released into the exterior of the cell. They are specific to certain bacterial stains and
can cause serious damage to body organs and tissues. Some Gram negative bacteria
also produce exotoxins.

Like Gram positive bacteria, the Gram negative bacterial cell wall is composed of
peptidoglycan. However, the peptidoglycan is a single thin layer compared to the
thick layers in Gram positive cells. This thin layer does not retain the initial crystal
violet dye but picks up the pink color of the counterstain during Gram staining. The
cell wall structure of Gram negative bacteria is more complex than that of Gram
positive bacteria. Located between the plasma membrane and the thin
peptidoglycan layer is a gel-like matrix called periplasmic space. Unlike in Gram
positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria have an outer membrane layer that is
external to the peptidoglycan cell wall. Membrane proteins, murein lipoproteins,
attach the outer membrane to the cell wall.
Key Points: Gram Positive vs. Gram Negative Bacteria

 Most bacteria can be broadly classified as Gram positive or Gram negative.


 Gram positive bacteria have cell walls composed of thick layers of
peptidoglycan.
 Gram positive cells stain purple when subjected to a Gram stain procedure.
 Gram negative bacteria have cell walls with a thin layer of peptidoglycan. The
cell wall also includes an outer membrane with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
molecules attached.
 Gram negative bacteria stain pink when subjected to a Gram stain procedure.
 While both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria produce exotoxins,
only Gram negative bacteria produce endotoxins.

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