NextPrevious

Biology

Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, and Fungi

What are the main components of a bacterial cell?

The major components of a bacterial cell are the plasma membrane, cell wall, and a nuclear region containing a single, circular DNA molecule. Plasmids—small circular pieces of DNA that exist independently of the bacterial chromosome—are also present in a bacterial cell. In addition, some bacteria may have flagella, which aids in movement; pili or fimbriae, which are short, hairlike appendages that help bacteria adhere to various surfaces, including the cells that they infect; or a capsule of slime around the cell wall that protects it from other microorganisms.



Close

This is a web preview of the "The Handy Science Answer Book" app. Many features only work on your mobile device. If you like what you see, we hope you will consider buying. Get the App