THE PROKARYOTIC CELL

Prokaryote

Means before the nucleus. Single celled organisms that lack a nucleus. Domains Bacteria and Archaea comprise all prokaryotes.

Bacteria
Bacteria are unicellular, and most of them multiply by binary fission.

Binary Fission

Most bacteria are 0.2 2.0 micrometers in diameter and 2 8 micrometers in length

Thiomargarita namibiensis

Three basic bacterial shapes

Spherical cells are called cocci

Cocci are usually round but can be oval, elongated or flattened on one side.

Diplococci

Streptococci

Sarcinae

Staphylococci

Diplobacilli

Streptobacilli

Cocobacilli

Vibrios

Rod shaped cells are called bacilli

Spiral shaped cells are called spirilli.

Archaebacteria

Many archaebacteria live in harsh environments.

One group of the archaebacteria are methanogens prokaryotes that produce methane gas.

Structures Internal To The Cell Wall

Glycocalyx is a gelatinous polysaccharide polypeptide covering.

Flagella are relatively long filamentous appendages consisting of a filament , hook , and basal body.

Axial Filaments are bundles of fibrils that arise at the ends of the cell beneath an outer sheath and spiral around the cell.

Fimbriae and Pili are short thin appendages.

Pili are usually longer than fimbriae.

The Cell Wall

Structures Internal To The Cell Wall

The Plasma Membrane encloses the cytoplasm and is a phospholipid bilayer with peripheral and integral proteins.

Cytoplasm is the fluid component inside the plasma membrane.

Ribosomes function as the sites of protein synthesis.

Inclusions

Reserve deposits found in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Endospores

Are resting structures formed by some bacteria for survival during adverse environmental conditions.