MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY (Sci 111)
CHAPTER 3 BACTERIAL MORPHOLOGY
Course Title: MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY
Course Number: SCI 111
Name of Reporter: Gena Mae D. Arroyo
Course Facilitator: Dr. Louie S. Denosta
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the students must have to:
1. distinguish among the various general shapes of bacteria, cite examples for each; and
2. compare the external and internal structures of gram-positive, gram-negative and acid-fast
bacteria.
Introduction
Bacteria, which are prokaryotic, have simpler structures compared to eukaryotic organisms. In
terms of morphology, bacteria may be classified into three basic shapes: coccus (pl. cocci),
bacillus (pl. bacilli), and spiral-shaped or curved. Cocci can be described as spherical or
round- shaped organisms (e.g., Staphylococcus, Streptococcus). They may be arranged singly,
in pairs (diplococci), in chains (streptococci), in clusters (staphylococci), in groups of four
(tetrad), or in groups of eight (octad). Rod-shaped organisms are called bacilli (e.g.,
Escherichia coli, Salmonella). Some may be very short, resembling elongated cocci called
coccobacilli (e.g., Haemophilus influenzae). Curved and spiral-shaped organisms may show
variations in their morphology. Vibrio cholerae, the organism causing cholera, is described as
comma-shaped. The causative agent of syphilis, Treponema pallidum, is spiral in shape while
the causative agent of diphtheria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, is club-shaped.
Indicative Contents
1. Fundamental Shapes of Bacteria
2. Three Major Components of Bacteria
2.1 Envelope Structures
a. Projecting Structures
2.1 Cytoplasmic Membrane
2.2 Internal Structures
FUNDAMENTAL SHAPES OF BACTERIA
Bacteria, which are prokaryotic, have simpler structures compared to eukaryotic organisms.
In terms of morphology, bacteria may be classified into three basic shapes:
1. Coccus (pl. cocci). Cocci can be described as spherical or round- shaped organisms (e.g., Staphylococcus,
Streptococcus).
capiz state university dumarao satellite collEge 1
MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY (Sci 111)
Types of Cocci Bacteria
a. Streptococci – cocci arranged in chains. E.g.,
Streptococcus mutans
b. Diplococci – cocci arranged in pairs. Eg., Neisseria
gonorrhoeae
c. Monococci – single cocci
d. Staphylococci – clusters of cocci. Eg., Staphylococcus
aureus
e. Tetrads – cocci in groups of four. Eg., Pediococcus
f. Sarcina – cocci in groups of eight. E.g., Sarcina
ventriculi
2. Bacillus (pl. bacilli). Rod-shaped organisms are called bacilli (e.g., Escherichia coli, Salmonella). Some may be
very short, resembling elongated cocci called coccobacilli (e.g., Haemophilus influenzae).
3. Spirochetes. Spirochetes, also known as spirochaetes, are slender and coiled bacteria (BYJU'S, 2023). Some
examples of spirochetes are leptospira species, which causes leptospirosis, borrelia recurrentis, which causes
relapsing fever, treponema pallidum subspecies which cause treponematoses such as syphilis and yaws.
Additionally, oral spirochaetes are known to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of human periodontal
disease (Wikipedia, 2023).
Key Note: Curved and spiral-shaped organisms may show variations in their morphology. Vibrio cholerae, the
organism causing cholera, is described as comma-shaped. The causative agent of diphtheria, Corynebacterium
diphtheriae, is club-shaped.
Figure 1.2 Fundamental shapes of bacteria
3 MAJOR COMPONENTS OF BACTERIA
A typical prokaryotic cell is composed of three major components-an outer envelope with its projecting structures,
the cell membrane, and the internal structures.
1. Envelope Sturcture.
The envelope serves to protect the bacteria from harsh environmental conditions.
Key Note: Prokaryotic cells are surrounded by a complex envelope that may vary in composition.
The envelope is composed of the following:
a. Glycocalyx
This is the outermost covering of some bacteria. It is a gelatinous substance that is located external to the cell wall,
composed of polysaccharide or polypeptide, or both.
Two Types of Glycocalyx
1. Capsule if it is strongly attached to the cell wall.
2. Slime layer if it is loosely attached.
capiz state university dumarao satellite collEge 2
MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY (Sci 111)
Key Note: The presence of the capsule is indicative of the virulence of an organism, aiding the organism in the
evasion of phagocytosis. It can stimulate an antibody response from the immune system. The capsule serves to
protect the organism from dehydration.
b. Cell Wall
The bacterial cell wall is sometimes called the murein sacculus. The cell wall provides rigid support and gives
shape to the bacteria. It protects the bacteria from osmotic damage and plays an important role in cell division . Its
major component is peptidoglycan, which is also called murein or mucopeptide, which is multi-layered in gram-
positive bacteria and single-layered in gram-negative bacteria.
Special components of gram-positive cell walls
1. Teichoic acids - comprise major surface antigens of gram-positive organisms and can elicit antibody response.
In some gram-positive organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, teichoic acids function for the attachment of the
organism to the host cell. These also provide tensile strength to gram-positive bacterial cell walls.
2. Polysaccharides - polysaccharide molecules include neutral sugars such as mannose, arabinose, rhamnose, and
glucosamine. It also includes some acidic sugars such as glucuronic acid and mannuronic acid.
Figure 2.1 Diagrammatic representation of a typical gram-positive bacteria cell wall
Special components of gram-negative cell walls
1. Outer membrane - a bi-layered structure where the inner leaflet is composed of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
It has special protein channels that allow the passage of small or low-molecular-weight hydrophilic substances
such as sugars and amino acids. LPS has a complex glycolipid called lipid A, responsible for its endotoxin
activity. It is located in the outer leaflet of the outer membrane. The inner core is a polysaccharide made up of
repeat units. This repeat unit is also called the O antigen, which is unique for every species of bacteria.
2. Lipoprotein - functions to anchor the outer membrane to the peptidoglycan layer and stabilizes the outer
membrane.
3. Periplasmic space - a fluid-filled space between the outer membrane and the inner plasma membrane. It
contains enzymes for the breakdown of large non- transportable molecules into transportable ones and enzymes
that serve to detoxify and inactivate antibiotics.
Figure 2.2 A comparison between gram-positive and gram-negative cell walls showing the differences in their
constituents
Acid-fast cell wall
capiz state university dumarao satellite collEge 3
MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY (Sci 111)
Unlike gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, acid-fast organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis possess
an outer layer that is lipid-rich. The cell wall of acid-fast organisms is composed of large amounts of waxes that
are known as mycolic acids. The inner layer of the cell wall is also made up of peptidoglycan but because the
outermost layer is lipid- rich, cell walls of acid-fast organisms are hydrophobic. This is the reason why they cannot
be stained using the reagents used in gram staining. The hydrophobic nature of their cell wall protects them from
harsh chemicals such as strong acids and detergents.
Figure 2.3 Schematic representation comparing gram-positive, gram-negative, and acid-fast cell wall
Projecting Structures
Structures projecting from the bacterial capsule include pili or fimbriae of gram-negative organisms, flagella, and
axial filaments of spirochetes.
Flagella
These are thread-like structures made up entirely of molecules of the protein sub-unit flagellin. They project from
the capsule and are organs for motility.
Flagella are classified into four types:
(a) Monotrichous (single polar flagellum)
(b) Lophotrichous (a tuft of flagella at one end of the bacterium)
(c) Amphitrichous (flagella at both ends of the bacterium)
(d) Peritrichous (flagella all around the bacterium).
Key Note: Bacteria without flagella are called atrichous.
Figure 3.1 Typical arrangement of bacterial flagella. (a) Peritrichous, (b) monotrichous and polar. (c) lophotichous
and polar, and (d) amphitrichous and polar
Pili or Fimbriae
These are rigid surface appendages found on many gram-negative bacteria. They are fine and short in comparison
with flagella. Their structural protein sub-units are called pilins. Pili may also function for motility.
Two Types of Pili:
1. Common pili which function for attachment or adherence to the cell surface.
2. Sex pili which function for attachment to another bacterium during a form of bacterial gene exchange called
conjugation.
3.
capiz state university dumarao satellite collEge 4
MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY (Sci 111)
Axial Filaments
Axial filaments are also called endoflagella and are found in spirochetes (e.g., Treponema pallidum causing
syphilis). These are composed of bundles of fibrils, the structures of which are similar to flagella. They arise from
the ends of the bacterial cell and spiral around the cell. The filaments rotate producing movement of the outer
sheath of the spirochetes propelling them forward.
2. Cytoplasmic Membrane
Also called cell membrane or plasma membrane, the cytoplasmic membrane is located beneath the cell wall. It is
sometimes called the cell sac because it encloses the cytoplasm of the cell. The cytoplasmic membrane is a
selectively permeable membrane that allows for transport of selected solutes. In aerobic organisms, it is the site of
the electron transport chain and serves as the site of ATP production. It therefore serves the function of the
mitochondria, which are not found in prokaryotic cells. The cytoplasmic membrane also contains the enzymes
needed for the biosynthesis of DNA, cell wall components, and membrane lipids.
4. Internal Structures
Nucleoid
Bacteria have no true nucleus that is surrounded by a nuclear membrane. Its genetic material is packaged in a
structure called the nucleoid. Bacteria possess a single, circular, double- stranded DNA.
Mesosomes
The mesosome functions for cell division. It is also involved in the secretion of substances produced by bacteria.
Ribosomes
The ribosomes function for protein synthesis. Unlike eukaryotic ribosomes, bacterial ribosome is smaller (70S).
Granules or Inclusion Bodies
These are found in certain bacteria and serve for storage of food and energy (e.g., metachromatic granules of
Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Much granules of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Endospores
Endospores are structures produced by many bacteria when they are placed in a hostile environment. It is
composed of dipicolinic acid which confers resistance to heat, drying, chemical agents, and radiation; making it
very difficult to destroy. The process of spore production is called sporulation, and this occurs when the
environmental conditions are detrimental to the bacteria. When environmental conditions become favorable, the
endospores revert to their vegetative state through a process called germination. Some gram-positive, but never
gram-negative, bacteria form spores.
Figure 4.1 Parts of a typical prokaryotic cell
capiz state university dumarao satellite collEge 5
MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY (Sci 111)
Exercises/Drills:
Activity 1.1 COMPLETE ME!
Direction: The figure below indicates events that led up to the cell theory. Complete the evidence by filling in the
blank spaces to make the history of the cell incredible.
Bacteria, which are prokaryotic, have (1) ____________structures compared to eukaryotic organisms. In terms
of morphology, bacteria may be classified into three basic shapes: (2) ____________(pl. cocci), bacillus (pl.
bacilli), and spiral-shaped or curved. Cocci can be described as spherical or round- shaped organisms. They may
be arranged singly also known as (3) ____________, in pairs (diplococci), in chains known as (4)
____________, in clusters (staphylococci), in groups of four known as (5) ____________, or in groups of eight
(octad). Rod-shaped organisms are called (6) ____________). Some may be very short, resembling elongated
cocci called (7) ____________. Vibrio cholerae, the organism causing cholera, is described as
(8)____________. The causative agent of syphilis, Treponema pallidum, is (9) ____________ in shape while the
causative agent of diphtheria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, is (10) ____________.
Activity 1.3. See Me, Recognize Me!
Direction: Identify what type of bacteria the following pictures is based on their morphology.
Bacteria
Multiple Choice.
. Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which of the following structures is utilized by bacteria in exchangin material from one bacterium to another?
a. Pilus
Evaluation c. Mesosome
b. Axial filament d. Flagella
2. Which among the following provides rigid mupport to bacteria and gives shape the bacteria?
a. Cell membrane c. Cell wall
b. Outer membrane d. Capule
[Link] bacterial endospore is resistant to heat and drying due to the presence of this component
a. Teichoic acid c. Muramic acid
b. Mycolic acid d. Dipicolinic acid
4. Which among the following is a structure utilized by some bacteria for food storage?
a. Much granules c. Metachromatic gramiles e. A and B only
b. Endospores d. A, B, and C
capiz state university dumarao satellite collEge 6
MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY (Sci 111)
5. Which of the following contain enzymes used by bacteria to break down large molecules into smaller, easy to transport
molecules?
a. Cell wall c. Cell membrane
b. Outer membrane d. Periplasmic space
6. What bacteria are partly round and partly rod-shaped?a
a. Bacilli b. Spirochetes c. Cocci
7. Which among the following bacterial structures acts as a functional analogue of the mitochondria?
a. Capsule c. Nucleoid
b. Cell membrane d. Outer membrane
8. Which among the following cell wall components is found only in gram-positive bacteria?
a. Lipopolysaccharide c. Teichoic acid
b. Mycolic acid d. Muramic acid
9. Which among the following statements is correct regarding the cell wall of acid- fast bacteria?
a. It can be stained with crystal violet.
b. Its outer layer is hydrophobic due to the presence of lipids.
c. Its outer layer is hydrophilic due to the presence of a multi-layered peptidoglycan.
d. The major component is lipoteichoic acid.
10. A bacterium that has a tuft of flagella on one end is called:
a. Lophotrichous c. Monotrichous
b. Peritrichous d. Amphitrichous
References
Microbiology & Parasitology, 2nd Edition by Fe A. Bartolome, MD, FPASMAP and Elizabeth P. Quiles,
MD, FPASMAP, published by C&E Publishing, Inc., Copyright 2020 by C&E Publishing, Inc.
[Link]
[Link]
capiz state university dumarao satellite collEge 7
