Question

Write short notes on Bacterial capsule.

Answer 1

Hey mate✌

1.Many bacterial cells secrete some extracellular material in the form of a capsule or a slime layer.

2.A slime layer is loosely associated with the bacterium and can be easily washed off, whereas a capsule is attached tightly to the bacterium and has definite boundaries.

3.Capsules can be seen under a light microscope by placing the cells in a suspension of India ink.

4.The capsules exclude the ink and appear as clear halos surrounding the bacterial cells. Capsules are usually polymers of simple sugars (polysaccharides), although the capsule of Bacillus anthracis is made of polyglutamic acid.

5.Most capsules are hydrophilic (“water-loving”) and may help the bacterium avoid desiccation (dehydration) by preventing water loss.

6.Capsules can protect a bacterial cell from ingestion and destruction by white blood cells (phagocytosis).

hope this helped u..!