Gram-atic much?
It is the primary stain used in the Gram stain procedure that turns all bacterial cells purple.
crystal violet
This term for a spherical bacterial shape shares its root with a word meaning "berry."
coccus/cocci
This non-membrane-bound region houses the densely packed, supercoiled bacterial chromosome.
the nucleoid
This broad category of transport moves molecules against their concentration gradient and strictly requires cellular energy.
active transport
This type of antibiotic, like penicillin, targets the cross-linking of the peptidoglycan layer to cause cell lysis.
beta-lactam antibiotics
These barrel-shaped outer membrane proteins allow the passive diffusion of small hydrophilic molecules in Gram-negative bacteria.
porins
Counterclockwise rotation of bundled bacterial flagella results in this smooth, linear movement.
a run
These elongated protein appendages facilitate bacterial conjugation and a jerky surface movement known as twitching motility.
Pili
These specialized channel proteins facilitate the rapid, passive diffusion of water across the cell membrane.
aquaporins
Polymyxin antibiotics interact with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), making them exclusively effective against this broad classification of bacteria.
Gram negative bacteria
This thick, heavily cross-linked layer protects Gram-positive cells from osmotic lysis.
peptidoglycan
This prokaryotic homolog of tubulin polymerizes to form the Z-ring, directing cell division.
FtsZ
Severe nutrient limitation triggers the formation of these highly resistant, dormant bacterial structures.
Endospores
Bacteria secrete these high-affinity, low-molecular-weight compounds to scavenge insoluble Fe3+ from the environment.
siderophores
Antibiotics that act as ionophores collapse this specific electrochemical gradient, completely removing the energy source for flagellar rotation.
proton motive force
Missing this specific chemical step in the Gram stain causes Gram-positive cells to wash out and falsely appear pink.
mordant step / iodine
This actin homolog maintains the rod shape of bacilli by acting as a track for localized cell wall synthesis.
MreB
Complexed with calcium, this chemical compound in the spore core protects DNA by replacing water and preventing heat denaturation.
DPA
ABC transporters derive their energy from this chemical reaction.
ATP hydrolysis
A newly developed drug that selectively targets the FtsZ protein would primarily disrupt this critical cellular process.
Cell division
This tightly packed, organized polysaccharide layer is firmly attached to the cell and protects against phagocytosis.
capsule
A loss-of-function mutation in this specific phosphatase results in continuous tumbling.
CheZ
During sporulation, SpoIIE activates this specific transcription factor exclusively in the forespore compartment.
Sigma F
Exclusive to Gram-negative bacteria, this specialized transport system harnesses the proton motive force to move scarce molecules across the outer membrane.
TonB-dependent transport
This Gram-negative structure provides intrinsic resistance to large, bulky antibiotics like vancomycin.
the outer membrane