Question

Discuss three importance of glycocalyx to microorganisms with specific examples.

Answer 1

Glycocalyx is a network of polysaccharides found just outside the bacterial cell wall in all bacteria. Gelatinous glycocalyx is called a capsule, whereas irregular diffuse layer is called a slime layer.

Importance:-

a). It protects the bacteria from leucocytes in human body. Slime layer provides antiphagocytic nature and this increases the virulence of bacteria.

b). It helps in colony formation of bacteria.

c). It maintains cell attachment ( cell adherence) to the surface and resist flushing.