Explain the role of the cell wall in protecting against lysis and how this role may be experimentally demonstrated. What are protoplasts and spheroplasts
Answers
Answer:
Both protoplasts and spheroplasts refer to altered forms of plant, bacterial or fungal cells from which the cell wall has been partially or completely removed. These cells usually have all the other cellular components, except for the cell wall. When used in reference to bacterial cells, protoplasts may also refer to the spherical shape assumed by gram-positive bacteria while spheroplasts refer to the spherical shape assumed by gram-negative bacteria upon partial or complete removal of the cell wall. Cells with compromised cell walls assume a characteristic spherical shape to better withstand the rigors of its surrounding environment. They are also extremely sensitive to osmotic and mechanical shock.
Another main difference between protoplasts and spheroplasts is the number of membranes present. Protoplasts are bounded by a single membrane while spheroplasts have two - an inner membrane and an outer membrane.
Answer:
- A spheroplast is a microbial cell that has had its cell wall almost completely removed, such as by penicillin or lysozyme action.
- The plasmalemma, which is found in every plant cell's cellulosic cell wall, is referred to as a protoplast.
Explanation:
- The cell wall is a necessary structure that protects the protoplast of the cell from mechanical damage as well as osmotic rupture or lysis.
- Protoplasts and spheroplasts are modified bacteria or yeast in which the bacteria's primary shape-maintaining structure is weakened.
- Gram-positive bacteria take on a spherical shape, which is referred to as protoplast.
- Protoplasts are isolated cells that have had their cell walls removed and are surrounded by plasmalemma. Plants, fungi, and bacteria can all have protoplasts. These cells are also known as "naked" cells.
- Gram-negative bacteria take on a spherical shape called spheroplast.