Microbiology Bacteriology 2: Flagella and Pili
What Bacteria have Flagella?
*ONLY G-* *Some* Rods and Spirals *Never* Coccus
Chemical Composition of Pili
*Often*, not always, *hollow* Protein called *Pilin*
Flagella Structure
*Single Protein* fiber in bacterial cells (more complex in higher cells)
Flagella Chemical Makeup
*Single strand* of protein called *Flagellin*
F-Pili are... (4)
1. *Fertility* Pili 2. Much *longer* 3. Always *hollow* 4. Specialized for *DNA exchange*
Flagella means of attachment (4)
1. *L-Ring* at *base* of Flagella into *both* the LP and LPS layers of cell *wall* 2. *P-Ring* at the *PG* layer of cell wall 3. *S-Ring* *Between* cell wall and membrane 4. *M-Ring* at the cell *membrane*
Pili Function (3)
Attachment: 1. To *food* 2. To prevent *flushing*-out 3. To another bacteria for *DNA exchange*
F- Bacteria
Do Not Produce F-Pili Referred to as *female*
Another word for Pili
Fimbrae
Why Move?
In response to chemicals, light, environmental conditions
Anti-Flagella Abx?
No Anti-Flagella abx. They wouldn't kill bacteria, and the flagella would regenerate
Do Flagella cause direct harm?
No direct harm caused
Do Pili cause direct harm?
No direct harm caused
Anti-Pili Abx
None in use *because* Bacteria would then *move elsewhere* since not attached and wreak havoc
Multiple flagella distributed all over bacterium
Peritrichous Flagella
Multiple flagella at one terminal end of bacterium
Polar Lophotrichous Flagella
Single flagellum at one terminal end of bacterium
Polar Monotrichous Flagella
F+ Bacteria
Produce F-Pili Referred to as *male*
Do Flagella cause indirect harm?
Yes, indirect harm. Enable bacteria to move deeper into the body
Do Pili cause indirect harm?
Yes. 1. Prevent *flushing* out 2. *Transfer DNA* to others for survival/evolution
Function of Flagella
*G-* Only!! Movement/motility
