HES 032-Microbiology and Parasitology

College of Nursing
RAD Learning (AY:2022-2023)

Group Leader: AVILES, OSMAR KENJI, A.

Group Members: AYING, CHRISTINE MEGAN, A.

BENTOY, MA. SOPHIA, I.
BALBIN, APRIL JANE, C.
BEBANCO, ELIJAH, O.
BETOS, MAY JOYCE, A.

ACTIVITY NO. 2: Bacterial Cell Structure and Function

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: At the end of the laboratory period, the student should be able to:
1. Illustrate and label the different structures of a bacterial cell.
2. Define and determine the functions of each structure of the bacterial cell.
3. Differentiate eukaryotic cell and prokaryotic cell.

DISCUSSION:

Cytology, the study of the structure and function of cells, has developed during the past 75 years
with the aid of the electron microscope and sophisticated biochemical research. Among clinically
relevant organisms, bacteria are single-cell prokaryotic microorganisms. Fungi and parasites are
single-cell or multicellular eukaryotic organisms, as are plants and all higher animals. Viruses are
dependent on host cells for survival and therefore are not considered cellular organisms but rather
infectious agents or acellular microbes.

A notable characteristic of eukaryotic cells, such as those of parasites and fungi, is the presence
of membrane enclosed organelles that have specific cellular functions. Prokaryotes and
eukaryotes both contain nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. They use the same
kinds of chemical reactions to metabolize food, build proteins, and store energy. It is primarily the
structure of cell walls and membranes, and the absence of organelles (specialized cellular
structures that have specific functions), that distinguish prokaryotes from eukaryotes.

The structures of a prokaryotic cell consists of structures external to the cell wall, the cell wall, and
structures internal to the cell wall.

Compiled by: Claire Mae Caval, RMT

Microbiology and Parasitology – Instructor
Southwestern University PHINMA
 References:
Engelkirk, P., & Engelkirk, J. (2015). Burton's Microbiology for the Health and Sciences. 10th ed., Philadelphia:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Tille, P.M. (2014). Bailey & Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology, 13th Edition. Amsterdam: Elsevier Mosby Inc.
Tortora G., F. B.
(2016). Microbiology an Introduction, 12th Edition. United States
America:
of Pearson Education

OBSERVATIONS:

1. Illustrate and label the different structures of a bacterial cell.

Compiled by: Claire Mae Caval, RMT

Microbiology and Parasitology – Instructor
Southwestern University PHINMA
 2. Define and determine the functions of each of the structure of a bacterial cell.

A. Structures
external to the cell wall

1. Glycocalyx - the network of polysaccharides known, which extends from bacterial cell
surfaces, controls the flow of fluid between endothelial cells and serves as a
barrier to macromolecules.

2. Flagella -hair-like structures that the cell utilizes for locomotion.

-Pili are involved in attachment, motility, and gene transfer from one bacterial cell
3. Fimbriae and Pili to another. Fimbriae are involved in adhesion, which encourages the production
of biofilms.

B. Cell Wall -In plant cells, the plasma membrane is encased by the cell wall. The primary
role of the cell wall is to serve as structural support and strength as well as a
semi-permeable barrier that allows molecules to enter and exit the cell.

C. Plasma (Cytoplasmic) -The cytoplasmic membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, controls the
Membrane movement of chemicals into and out of the cell by acting as a selective
permeability barrier. By doing this, they prevent dangerous materials from
entering the cell. Additionally, they have receptors and channels that let certain
molecules, including ions, nutrients, wastes, and metabolic products, which
mediate cellular and extracellular activities, flow between organelles as well as
between cell and the external environment. They divide crucial yet conflicting
metabolic operations carried within organelles.

D. Structures internal to the

cell wall

1. Nucleoid

Compiled by: Claire Mae Caval, RMT

Microbiology and Parasitology – Instructor
Southwestern University PHINMA
 -The prokaryotic cell's nucleoid, which houses the genetic material, is an
irregularly shaped area that serves as a regulatory center for controlling the
development, reproduction, and function of the cell.

2. Cytoplasm
-The cytoplasm, a gel-like fluid found inside cells, functions as a medium ffor
chemical reactions. It serves as a foundation for other organelles to function
within the cell and is where all of the processes for cell division, growth, and
replication take place.

3. Ribosomes
-The process of making proteins in a cell takes place at an intracellular structure
called a ribosome, which is formed of both RNA and protein.

4. Inclusions
-Numerous nutrients or pigments that are present inside the cell but do not
function like other organelles are referred to as cell inclusions.

a. Metachromatic granules
-They function as an intracellular phosphate reserve and are made up of complex
polyphosphate, lipid, and nucleoprotein molecules (volutin).

b. Sulfur granules
-The bacteria's storage granules are sulfur-based. The sulfur granules may be
accumulated by the bacteria inside the cell, where they operate as an energy
store.

c. Lipid inclusions
-Lipid inclusions are widely thought of as inert, non-structural fat particles that are
crucial for maintaining cellular integrity, energy storage, and cell signaling
pathways.

d. Polysaccharide granules
-Polysaccharide granules contain either glycogen or starch which acts as an
energy or carbon reserve.

5. Endospores
-Endospores, which are spores that originate inside of cells and are typically
seen in bacteria, shield the bacterium from adverse circumstances that would
otherwise make it difficult for it to survive. Additionally, these are resistant to heat
and substances that would normally kill other bacteria are spores.

Compiled by: Claire Mae Caval, RMT

Microbiology and Parasitology – Instructor
Southwestern University PHINMA
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. Differentiate the structure of prokaryotic from eukaryotic cells (tabular form).

PROKARYOTIC Similarities EUKARYOTIC

all are unicellular can be unicellular or

multicellular

poorly defined due to the -have ribosomes well-defined because it is

absence of nuclear surrounded by a nuclear
membrane -have DNA membrane

no nucleus -have cytoplasm nucleus is present

no organelles -have a cell membrane has organelles

-some have flagella
has cell walls some have cilia

has a sticky capsule no sticky capsule

live in a wide variety of bigger than prokaryotes

environment

bacteria and blue-green algae fungi, plant, and animal cells

2. Give the different arrangement of flagella and provide an example of each flagellar
arrangement. (Illustrate each flagellar arrangement)

Atrichous - Lactobacillus
Monotrichous - Vibrio cholera
Amphitrichous - Nitrosomonas
Cephalotrichous - Pseudomonas
Lophotrichous - Spirillum volutans
Peritrichous - Clostridium tetani

Compiled by: Claire Mae Caval, RMT

Microbiology and Parasitology – Instructor
Southwestern University PHINMA