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AAT Bioquest

What are the features of a gram-negative cell wall?

Posted February 22, 2024


Answer

A Gram-negative cell wall has the following features:

  • The outer membrane is separated from the inner cytoplasmic layer by a periplasmic space called the periplasm, which has a network of peptidoglycan chains. 
  • The Gram-negative bacteria has a thin peptidoglycan layer, which is present in the periplasmic space – the area between the inner and outer membranes. 
  • The cell wall is enclosed by a cell envelope, which is composed of 3 layers, including a distinctive outer membrane, a thin peptidoglycan layer, and a cytoplasmic membrane. 
  • The outer membrane of the cell wall is a bilayer structure composed of lipopolysaccharides, phospholipid molecules, lipoproteins, and surface proteins. It protects the cell against harmful microbial agents and damaging environmental elements. 
  • The surface proteins, known as porins, form channels that allow nutrients and other tiny molecules to flow into the cell. 
  • The cell wall stains pink when treated with Gram Stain
Additional resources

Structures of Gram-Negative Cell Walls and Their Derived Membrane Vesicles

Gram Staining

MycoLight™ Rapid Fluorescence Gram-Positive Bacteria Staining Kit