What is the purpose of capsules and slime layers in bacteria?
Capsules can protect a bacterial cell from ingestion and destruction by white blood cells (phagocytosis). While the exact mechanism for escaping phagocytosis is unclear, it may occur because capsules make bacterial surface components more slippery, helping the bacterium to escape engulfment by phagocytic cells.
What do slime layers and capsules have in common?
Capsule and slime layer are two structures that are found in the outside cell wall of many bacteria. Capsule allows bacteria to invade the immune system of the host. Hence, it is common in parasitic bacterial forms. Both capsule and slim layer are composed of a sugar shell called glycocalyx.
What is the function of slime capsule in bacteria?
Capsules contain water which protects the bacteria against desiccation. They also exclude bacterial viruses and most hydrophobic toxic materials such as detergents and help the cells to adhere to surfaces. The possession of capsule makes some pathogenic bacteria resistant to phagocytosis.
Do capsules aid in attachment?
Capsule. A bacterial capsule is a polysaccharide layer that completely envelopes the cell. The capsule can enhance the ability of bacterial pathogens to cause disease and can provide protection from phagocytosis (engulfment by white blood cells known as phagocytes). Lastly, it can help in attachment to surfaces.
Why are bacterial capsules medically important?
Why are bacterial capsule medically important? Capsules often protect pathogenic bacteria from phagocytosis by the cells of the host. Serves as an electron barrier which materials enter and exit the cell, selective permeability, contributes to the breakdown of nutrients and the production of energy.
What are two functions of the capsule or slime layer in bacterial cells?
Biofilms are composed of many cells and their outer barriers. The primary functions of both capsules and slime layers are for protection and adhesion.
How do capsules and slime layers differ quizlet?
A capsule is closely associated with cells and does not wash off easily, while a slime layer is more diffuse and easily washed off. An extraordinary resistance cell produce by some types of bacteria.
What are the functions of slime layers?
The function of the slime layer is to protect the bacteria cells from environmental dangers such as antibiotics and desiccation. The slime layer allows bacteria to adhere to smooth surfaces such as prosthetic implants and catheters, as well as other smooth surfaces like petri-dishes.
How do Capsules and slime layers differ quizlet?
Why are capsules and slime layers important to bacteria?
Some possess an extra cover called envelope. Other than the cell wall, some bacteria contain external structures. Among the external structures, glycocalyx is an important structure that includes capsule and slime layer. Glycocalyx avoids bacterial cells from phagocytosis, and it helps the formation of biofilms.
Is the glycocalyx a slime or a capsule?
Glycocalyx exists in two forms; slime layer or capsule. Slime layer is the extracellular layer that is loosely associated with the bacterial cell wall. It is a less discrete layer that can be easily washed off. Capsule is attached tightly to the cell wall, and it is a thick discrete layer.
What makes up the slime layer of the cell?
Slime layer is composed mostly of exopolysaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids. Slime layer can be easily washed off due to its loose adhesion to the cell wall. What is Capsule?
What does the slime layer on a catheter do?
The slime layer also allows bacteria to adhere to smooth surfaces such as prosthetic medical devices and catheters. It may permit bacterial colonies to survive chemical sterilization with chlorine, iodine, and other chemicals, leaving autoclaving or flushing with boiling water as the only certain methods of decontaminating .
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