CHAPTER 4

CHARACTERISTICS OF PROKARYOTIC & EUKARYOTIC

CELLS
Questions of Importance
What are the 2 basic cell types?
What are the special characteristics associated with Prokaryotic cells?
Can you compare and contrast Prok. & Euk. Cells?
What are the structural differences between a Gram Positive and Gram Negative Cell?

Basic Cell Types

Prokaryote: single-celled organisms, and ALL are bacteria.
Termed Prokaryotes because they contain NO nucleus (Pro = before, Karyon = nucleus)
Prokaryotes not only lack a nucleus but also lack any membrane bound organelles
Prokaryotes are among the smallest of all organisms
Prokaryotes are thought to be a good deal older than Eukaryotic cells.
Thoughts are that they have been around for
over 4 billion years.
Reproduce by a simple process called binary
fission

Eukaryotic Cells
Eukaryote: single-celled or multi-cellular organisms.
Eu = true
Karyon = nucleus
Euk. cells possess a nucleus as well as various membrane bound organelles
Euk. cells are larger and more complex than Pro. cells
Eukaryotic cells reproduce by a process called Mitosis.
Mitosis is similar to binary fission
Some organisms reproduce by budding

Prok. Vs. Euk. cells

Prokaryotic cells have a single circular chromosome;
Eukaryotic cells have paired chromosomes
Prokaryotic cells lack histone proteins; Eukaryotic
cells have histone proteins
Prokaryotic - cell wall has peptidoglycan; plant and
fungal cells have both cellulose and chitin
ONLY Eukaryotic DNA is in a nucleus surrounded by
a nuclear membrane
Prokaryotic DNA is in a nuclear region not
surrounded by a membrane
BOTH types have a plasma membrane, DNA, Cell
Wall (plant cells), Ribosomes, Cytoplasm

Prokaryotic Classification
Prokaryotic Cells are usually classified according to:
Size
Shape
Arrangement
Size: generally 0.5 to 2.0 micrometers
Always exceptions
Shapes:

Arrangement:
Diplo- 2 bacteria together
Strepto- chain of bacteria
Tetrads 4 cells arranged in a cube
Staphylo- grape like clusters of bacteria
Sarcinae- eight cells arranged in a cube

Prokaryotic Cell Structures

Structurally, bacterial cells consist of the following:
1. Cell membrane, usually surrounded by a cell wall
2. Internal cytoplasm with ribosomes, nuclear region, and in some cases granules and/
or vesicles
3. Capsules, flagella, and pili (external)

External Structures of the Prokaryotic Cell

The Cell Wall:
Lies outside the cell membrane in nearly all bacteria
Two important functions:
1. Maintains the characteristic shape
2. Prevents the cell from bursting when fluids flow into the cell by osmosis
Cell wall contains Peptidoglycan (murein): The single most important component of cell
wall
Large polymer

Cell Membrane
Living Membrane that serves as a boundary b/w the cell and outside environment
Phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins
Controls what enters and leaves a cell
Monitors envir. for changes
Areas associated w/CM
Periplasmic Space: found in Gram Negative bact.
Gap b/w the Cell Wall and CM
Area contains peptidoglycan
Active area of metabolism and transport
Outer membrane: found in Gram Negative bacteria
Outer most layer, very similar to CM in structure
Not as selective about what passes through it
Contains LPS (lipopolysaccharide A)
Endotoxin that is released after death of cell
Do some research:
Find out what the effects of Lipopolysaccharide A are to the human body.
Glycocalyx
Any substance found external to the cell wall
Thickest structure is a Capsule
Thinnest layer is the slime layer
All bacteria have at least a thin slime layer
Capsule
Protective coat only found on a few types of bacteria
Prevents phagocytosis by WBC
Prevents chemical agents from entering the cell

Slime Layer
Thinner than a capsule
Protects cell from drying out
Helps trap nutrients
Creates biofilms
Can help cells bind together or adhere to objects
Dental plaque

Distinguishing b/w cells by their cell wall

Gram-positive Bacteria
have a relatively thick
layer of peptidoglycan
(60-90%)
Gram-negative Bacteria
have a more complex
cell wall with a thin
layer of peptidoglycan
(10-20%)

Extras!!
Mycoplasm genus lack a cell wall
vary in shape due to no cell wall

Acid Fast bacteria

CW is 60% lipid and much less peptidogl.
Growth is relatively slow due lipid content
Hard to absorb needed nutrients

Structures of Motility
Flagella
Extensions from the cell membrane through the cell wall
Allow the bacterium to move with speed and purpose
Bacteria can have one or multiple flagella
Monotrichous one flagella
Amphitrichous- one at each end
Lophotrichous two or more at each end
Peritrichous all over the surface
Atrichous No flagella present

Bacterial Movement
Chemotaxis
Sometimes bacteria move toward
or away from substances in their
environment by this nonrandom
process
1. Positive chemotaxis: net result is
movement towards the attractant
(nutrients)
2. Negative chemotaxis: net result is
movement away from the repellent

Axial Filaments - aka Endoflagella

Present in spirochetes
Due to placement b/w outer sheath and cell wall endoflagella cause a spirochete to
rotate like a corkscrew
Conjugation Pili
Found only in certain groups of bacteria
These structures attach two cells and furnish a pathway for the transfer of genetic
material
Conjugation allows for the genetic variety in bacterium
Creates the issue of antibiotic resistance

Attachment Pili - aka fimbriae

Structures that help bacteria adhere to a surface
Contribute to the pathogenicity of certain types
Some bact. Adhere to RBCs and cause the RBCs to clump = hemoagglutination
Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains w/out rarely cause gonorrhea, pili needed to attach to
epithelial cells or sperm

INTERNAL STRUCTURES
CYTOPLASM
Semi-fluid substance inside the CM
70-80% water
Constant metabolic activity
Ribosomes
Consist of RNA
Sites of protein synthesis
Usually found in chains (polyribosomes)
70S (30S and 50S)
Eukaryotes are 80S (antibiotics)
Nuclear Region - aka nucleoid
Where DNA is located
Single circular strand
Smaller circular DNA (plasmids) also located here
Plasmids are supplemental DNA (circular)
Usually passed to other bacteria during conjugation
Inclusions - AKA granules
Small bodies in the cytoplasm that are not surrounded my membrane
Each contains specific substances such as glycogen (glucose) and polyphosphate
(metabolic reactions), enzymes
Endospores
Helps an organism survive
Not a method of reproduction
Contain very little water
Highly resistant to heat, disinfectants, radiation, acids etc.
Chlorine dioxide gas

Movement of Substances across the membrane

Understanding movement of materials helps us to understand how cells work
Polar and nonpolar molecules pass differently
Large vs. small pass differently
2 types of transport
PassivePassive Transport
No energy required
Particles move down a gradient
Hi to Lo conc.
Simple diffusionFacilitated diffusionOsmosis-

Active Transport
Energy Required
Particles move against the gradient
Lo to Hi conc.
Endocytosis
Exocytosis

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