Cell wall of Bacteria Main Points only and Functions of cell wall shortly

The cell wall of bacteria:

The cell wall is the one of the most important parts of a prokaryotic cell for serval reasons,

Most bacteria have strong cell walls that give them shape and protect them from osmotic lysis.

The cell wall can protect a cell from toxic substances and is the site of action of serval antibodies.

After Christian gram developed the gram stain in the last century, it soon became evident that bacteria could be divided into two major groups on the basis of their response to the gram stain procedure.

The cell wall divided into two parts 1. Gram-Positive

                                                          2. Gram-Negative

Gram-positive the cell wall consists of single 20-80nm thick peptidoglycan layer lying outside the plasma membrane

Gram-negative cell wall is quite complex. It has 1-3nm peptidoglycan layer surrounding by 7-8nm thick outer membrane. This includes the walls and structure outside the plasma membrane-like capsule when present.

Gram-positive stained with purple color and negatively stained with pink color.

A space scene between cell wall and plasma membrane in electron micrographs of gram-negative bacteria , and sometimes a similar but smaller gapes observed in gram-positive bacteria, this space is called the periplasmic space or periplasm.

The function of the cell wall:

Some of the function of cell wall are summarised as follow,

1. To provide a solid support for flagella

2. To prevent rupture of bacteria caused by osmotic pressure by their environment.

3. To maintain the shape of the micro-organism.

4. To regulate to a certain degree, the passage of molecules into and out of the cell.

5. To prevent the site of attachment for the most bacterial viruses.

6. To prevent some toxic substance.