Question

What other methods do bacteria have to prevent osmotic lysis other than the ridgidity of the well wall?

Answer 1

Osmolysis: Burst of cells due to excessive accumulation of water

Methods to prevent osmolysis in bacteria:

1. Rigid peptidoglycan cell wall

2. Pellicle

3. Glycocalyx

4. No bacteria can actively pump out of the excess water. They can only modulate the osmotic potential of the cytoplasm indirectly.

5. Membrane transporters that exchange solutes/ions to maintain osmotic balance (Ex: K+ and glycine betaine).

6. Certain bacteria can release several compounds into the surroundings to decrease its osmotic potential.

Bacillus subtilis transiently opens up mechanosensitive channels to rapidly throw out water attracting solutes to curb water influx.