Discuss the structure and function of the bacterial cell wall. How do the features of the cell wall contribute to the development of Gram Staining techniques?

Biology by Geoffrey

Choose Your Microbe

  1. Read the eTextbook Chapter 3: Bacteria and Archaea and answer the following question prompts:
  • Discuss the structure and function of the bacterial cell wall. How do the features of the cell wall contribute to the development of Gram Staining techniques?
  • Explain how a flagellum enables motility.
  • Compare and contrast the major features of archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Why do you think archaea were discovered only recently?
  1. Read the eTextbook Chapter 4: Eukaryotic Cells and Microorganisms
  • List the different types of eukaryotic microorganism, identifying which are unicellular and multicellular.
  • Discuss the beneficial and harmful effects of fungi.
  • Using external internet resources as necessary, describe an incidence of a parasitic protozoan outbreak and a helminth infection. Discuss any control measures that were administered.
  1. Read the eTextbook Chapter 5: Viruses and Prions.
  • Discuss the structure and behavior of viruses that make them unique. Would you conclude that they are alive or dead? What evidence would you give to support your answer?
  • Why are antiviral drugs more difficult to design than antibacterial drugs?
  • Discuss how viral infections can lead to cancer.