3: Properties of Microorganisms — Read

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“To be brutally honest, few people care that bacteria have different shapes. Which is a shame, because the bacteria seem to care very much.”

—Young (2006)

Microorganisms have relatively simple morphologies relative to their broad genetic and metabolic diversity. While that is true, they do in fact vary in shape and size and can be solitary or aggregated in a variety of ways (Young, 2006). The properties of cells influence their growth and interactions with the environment. This chapter summarizes some of those properties and considers growth cycles of microbial populations. We will also briefly discuss properties of viruses.

3.1: Components of cells
Overview of the major components of bacterial and archaeal cells.
3.2: Cell morphology and size
Overview of microbial morphology. Cell size and the importance of the surface-to-volume ratio.
3.3: Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
How bacteria are classified as Gram-positive or Gram-negative. Differences in cell wall structure between these categories.
3.4: Bacterial sporulation
Spores as a survival strategy for bacteria experiencing harsh conditions.
3.5: Biofilms
Biofilms as a bacterial survival strategy. Composition of biofilms.
3.6: Cell growth
The mechanisms and stages of bacterial cell growth.
3.7: Virions
Overview of viruses and virions (viral particles not within a host cell).
3.8: Concept Check Questions
3.9: References

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