Page 20 - MNU microbiology theoritical 2025

General Microbiology & Immunology (PM 401) Second level Semester 4 2024/2025

The structure of the prokaryotic cell

Prokaryotic cells have three regions:

1- Internal structures

• Cytoplasm
• Ribosomes

• Chromosome
• Plasmids
• Inclusions

2- Cell envelope

• Plasma Membrane
• Cell wall
• Capsule

3- Appendages

• Flagella and pili/ fimbriae

1- Internal structures

Cytoplasm
• Cytoplasm is the TOTAL OF EVERYTHING INSIDE of the cytoplasmic

membrane.

• It has a gel-like consistency, but small molecules can move through it rapidly

• It contains all the other internal compounds and components the bacteria needs

for survival

• In the cytoplasm: cell metabolism, protein synthesis and DNA synthesis occur.

General Microbiology & Immunology (PM 401) theoretical handbook Page 9