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Microbial Cell Structure and Function
Capsules, Slime Layers, and S-Layers
Description
Capsules, slime layers, and S-layers are outer coverings on prokaryotic cells. These layers help bacteria and archaea survive, attach to surfaces, and interact with their environment. They are often made of polysaccharides, polypeptides, proteins, or glycoproteins.
Capsules are tightly bound and ...
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Transcript
许多原核生物的细胞壁外覆盖着黏性且呈黏液状的物质,这种物质有两种存在形式——荚膜和黏液层。
荚膜是紧密附着于细胞壁的高度有序的多糖层。
相比之下,结构较为松散的多糖层形成黏液层。某种细菌可能同时产生这两种结构,但它们通常不会在同一细胞的同一时间共存。
荚膜可保护细胞免受脱水,并防止吞噬作用,从而增强致病性。例如,炭疽杆菌(Bacillus anthracis)利用其荚膜逃避免主的免疫防御。
外层还有助于细胞附着到多种表面并形成生物膜,例如在Streptococcus mutans中所见,该菌可附着于牙齿并导致龋齿。
大多数古菌和许多细菌都具有由蛋白质或糖蛋白构成的高度有序的晶体化S层。
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