Key structures: peptidoglycan wall, cholesterol-free membrane, nucleoid with circular DNA, 70S ribosomes, plasmids (often carrying resistance genes), flagella for chemotaxis, pili for attachment and conjugation, and an anti-phagocytic capsule.
Gram-positive: thick peptidoglycan, stains purple. Gram-negative: thin peptidoglycan plus an outer membrane containing LPS (endotoxin), stains pink; released LPS on lysis can cause fever, septic shock, and DIC, and the outer membrane blocks many antibiotics.
Selective toxicity targets what humans lack: peptidoglycan, the 70S ribosome, DNA gyrase, and folate synthesis.
Growth and Metabolism
Growth curve: lag (enzyme synthesis) to log (exponential division, peak antibiotic sensitivity) to stationary (division equals death) to death phase.
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2n,n=
generation timeelapsed time
Metabolic classes pair an energy source (photo- or chemo-) with a carbon source (auto- or heterotroph). Oxygen classes: obligate aerobes, obligate anaerobes (killed by O2 — no catalase or superoxide dismutase), facultative anaerobes, and aerotolerant anaerobes.
Key Takeaways
Gram stain color encodes wall architecture and endotoxin risk.
LPS is the Gram-negative danger signal on lysis.
Exponential growth math only holds during log phase.