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The Bacterial Cell

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Abstract

General concepts and basic informations, with data on structural components and functionning of the bacterial cell are provided, including descriptions of the cell wall, the secretion systems and the cytoskeleton organization. Basic informations about the functionning and organization of the chromosome and plasmids are shown, together with mechanisms of genetic recombination and DNA methylation. Other structural components of the bacterial cell like flagella and pili are also shown. Quorum sensing and functional processes like CRISPR systems involved in adaptation and metabolism are discussed, with basic concepts and data concerning bacterial identification.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    AFM = a tridimensional scan of a sample surface performed by measuring the vertical deflection induced by the scanned surface on a thin cantilever helding a very sharp tip probe. The vertical movements of the scanning probe , due to repulsive or attractive interactions with the substrate, are detected as intensity changes of a laser beam deflected by the cantilever. Either the force of deflection or the vertical probe displacement are then used to digitally reconstruct the sample surface topography.

  2. 2.

    Chaperon, chaperonin = proteins assisting the folding or unfolding of other proteins.

  3. 3.

    Bacteriophages, phages = a large group of specific bacteria-parasitic viruses.

  4. 4.

    Nucleoid = an irregular cell region, deprived of membrane , in which most protein-coated genetic material is compacted.

  5. 5.

    GATC = a sequence domain with the four DNA nucleotides guanine, adenine , thymine and cytosine .

  6. 6.

    Biofilm = a sessile community of bacteria adhering to each other and to a surface.

  7. 7.

    CRISPR = clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeat.

  8. 8.

    Introns = non-coding nucleotidic regions inserted mostly within eukaryotic genes . During gene expression they are not trascribed nor translated into aminoacid sequences .

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  1. Sustainable Plant Protection Institute, National Research Council, Bari, Italy

    Aurelio Ciancio

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Ciancio, A. (2016). The Bacterial Cell. In: Invertebrate Bacteriology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-0884-3_1

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