Prokaryotic Cell Structure: The Gram Negative Cell Wall

Learning Objectives for "Prokaryotic Cell Structure: The Gram-Negative Cell Wall"

After completing this section you should be able to perform the following objectives.

1. State what color gram-negative bacteria stain after the Gram stain procedure and briefly describe why.

2.* Describe the composition of a gram-negative cell wall and indicate the possible beneficial functions to the bacterium of peptidoglycan, the outer membrane, lipopolysaccharides, porins, and surface proteins.

3.* Briefly describe how LPS and other PAMPs of the gram-negative cell wall can promote inflammation.

4. State the function of the bacterial proteins called adhesins and invasins.

5. Define periplasm.

Highlighted Bacterium

1. Read the description of Escherichia coli, and match the bacterium with the description of the organism and the infection it causes.

Highlighted Disease: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

1. Define the following:

a. urethritis
b. cystitis
c. pyelonephritis

2. Name at least 4 risk factors for UTIs.

3. Name the most common bacterium to cause UTIs; name at least 3 other bacteria that commonly cause UTIs.

4. Name at least 3 common symptoms of UTIs.

Think-Pair-Share Questions

A large number of gram-negative Escherichia coli have entered the urinary tract of a patient.

1. Explain how the body is able to recognize these bacteria and eventually send phagocytes and defense molecules to the infected site.

2. How might this mechanism lead to the symptoms of the infection?

(*) or (**) = possible discussion question

RETURN TO "PROKARYOTIC CELL STRUCTURE: THE GRAM-NEGATIVE CELL WALL"