Gram Negative Cell Walls Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Gram Negative Cell Walls?

Gram-negative bacterial cell walls are a unique feature of Proteobacteria, one of the major classes of bacteria. They are made up of a thin peptidoglycan layer, an outer membrane composed of lipopolysaccharides, and sometimes other components such as proteins and lipoproteins. The unique structure of this cell wall contributes to their ability to survive in harsh environments, resist antibiotics, and cause disease.The first layer is the peptidoglycan layer which consists of two layers: an inner layer composed of peptidoglycan polymers cross-linked by short peptide bridges and an outer layer that contains lipoproteins and other molecules important for maintaining the integrity of the cell wall. This inner layer provides strength and rigidity to protect against mechanical stress while also serving as a barrier to many antibiotics. The outer membrane is composed primarily of lipopolysaccharides which form a barrier against hydrophobic compounds such as detergents or dyes that may be used to kill Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, it helps protect against viruses by preventing them from entering the cell wall due to its hydrophobicity.The unique properties provided by Gram-negative cell walls have made them difficult for scientists to study in lab settings since most laboratory techniques are designed for studying Gram-positive organisms. However, there has been research into how these cell walls interact with other surface molecules that can affect their virulence or antibiotic resistance characteristics. For example, it has been shown that certain proteins on the outer membrane can increase antibiotic resistance while others can decrease it. Furthermore, studies have shown that changes in the composition or structure of these cell walls can lead to changes in virulence or resistance capabilities among different strains within a species. In conclusion, understanding more about Gram-negative bacterial cell walls will allow us to better understand how they function under different environmental conditions and why some strains display higher levels of antibiotic resistance than others do. Ultimately this knowledge could help us develop new treatments for diseases caused by these bacteria as well as prevent new infections from occurring in humans and animals alike.