Question

1. What are the 3 types of glycocalyx?

2. Describe what is part of each or what each is made of.

3. What do each of these provide for the organisms that produce them?

Thank you so much!

Answer 1

1) Glycocalyx is a glycoprotein or glycolipid covering that surrounds the cell membranes of some bacteria, epithelia and other cells. It is a type of identifier that the body uses to distinguish between its own healthy cells and transplanted tissues, diseased cells, or invading organisms. The 3 types of glycocalyx are as follows:

• Slime layer- Glycocalyx present on bacterial cells in a loosely organized and attached manner is referred to as slime layer. E.g. Bacillus anthracis produces a capsule of D-glutamic acid, that protects the encapsulated bacillus from phagocytosis
• Capsule - Glycocalyx present on bacterial cells in a highly organized, tightly attached is referred to as capsule. E.g. Streptococcus pneumonia produces a capsule made of polysaccharides that protects the bacterium from phagocytosis
• A glycocalyx can also be found on the apical portion of microvilli within the digestive tract, especially within the small intestine.

2) The Glycolayx in the capsule and slime layer of bacteria is made up of Polysaccharides. Glycocalyx of microvilli in small intestine consists of acidic mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins.

3) In bacteria, there are two prominent functions of the glycocalyx.

• The first function is to enable bacteria to become harder for the immune cells called phagocytes so surround and engulf. This is because the presence of a glycocalyx increases the effective diameter of a bacterium and also covers up components of the bacterium that the immune system would detect and be stimulated by.
• The second function of a bacterial glycocalyx is to promote the adhesion of the bacteria to living and inert surfaces and the subsequent formation of adherent, glycocalyx-enclosed populations that are called biofilms . Biofilm bacteria can become very hard to kill, party due to the presence of the glycocalyx material.

In apical portions of microvilli within the digestive tract, it provides additional surface for adsorption and includes enzymes secreted by the absorptive cells that are essential for the final steps of digestion of proteins and sugars.