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Only plants have cell walls, but if you're referring to bacteria you may be thinking of a spore.

A spore can be a structure that bacteria use as a special coating that protects it from harm; an example is the anthrax bacteria which is extremely difficult to kill.

EDIT: Actually all bacteria DO have a cell wall made of polysaccharides instead of plant cellulose and a spore is not something formed around a cell, rather inside it and then escaping when the part of the cell outside the spore dies. However, neither of these have to do with this question. The question is about the glycocalyx around some bacterial cells. The main purpose is that it prevents phagocytosis (being eaten by other cells, usually white blood cells) making the bacteria much harder to kill, however it does serve to prevent from desiccation (drying out) and can stop bacteriophages (viruses that attack bacteria) from invading. They are also sticky, allowing them to adhere to other cells and surfaces (this is especially obnoxious when you are trying to obtain a sample for a slide and they keep sticking together).

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What is a polysaccharide contained in the cell walls?

A Capsule. Capsule- in Mosses, the part that contains spores; in bacteria, a protective layer of polysaccharides around the cell wall.


What is the function of a capsule in a bacteria cell!?

The capsule in a bacterial cell serves as a protective layer that surrounds the cell wall, providing several key functions. It helps prevent desiccation, protects against phagocytosis by immune cells, and contributes to the bacteria's ability to adhere to surfaces and form biofilms. Additionally, capsules can enhance the virulence of pathogenic bacteria by evading the host's immune response.


Which structure acts like an invisibility cloak and protects bacteria from being phagocytized?

The capsule of bacteria acts like an invisibility cloak, preventing phagocytosis by immune cells. The capsule is a protective layer outside the bacterial cell wall, composed of complex polysaccharides or proteins. It helps the bacteria evade recognition and destruction by immune cells.


Does a prokaryotic cell have a capsule?

Some prokaryotic cells have a capsule, which is a protective layer outside the cell wall. The capsule helps the cell adhere to surfaces, evade host immune responses, and protect it from desiccation and other environmental stressors. Not all prokaryotic cells have a capsule, as it is not essential for their survival.


What is the function of a slime capsule in a bacterial cell?

A slime capsule in a bacterial cell provides protection against desiccation (drying out), phagocytosis by immune cells, and chemical attack. It also helps the bacteria adhere to surfaces and form biofilms.

Related Questions

What is the rod shaped cell with no nuclear membrane and having a capsule exterior to it's cell wall is a member of?

The rod-shaped cell with no nuclear membrane and a capsule exterior to its cell wall is likely a bacterium. Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms, meaning they lack a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. The capsule surrounding the cell wall of certain bacteria provides protection and helps the bacteria evade the host immune system.


What is the purpose of emulsifying the bacteria in the capsule stain?

to stain the outside and the inside of the cell.. so the capsule appears transparent


What is a polysaccharide contained in the cell walls?

A Capsule. Capsule- in Mosses, the part that contains spores; in bacteria, a protective layer of polysaccharides around the cell wall.


In mosses the part that contains spores in bacteria a protective layer of polysaccharides around the cell wall?

In mosses, spores are contained within the sporangium, a structure located on the sporophyte generation. In bacteria, a protective layer of polysaccharides called the capsule surrounds the cell wall, providing protection from desiccation and other environmental stresses.


What structures do bacteria have xy?

Bacterial cells, like plant cells, are surrounded by a cell wall. However, bacterial cell walls are made up of polysaccharide chains linked to amino acids, while plant cell walls are made up of cellulose, which contains no amino acids. Many bacteria secrete a slimy capsule around the outside of the cell wall. The capsule provides additional protection for the cell. Many of the bacteria that cause diseases in animals are surrounded by a capsule. The capsule prevents the white blood cells and antibodies from destroying the invading bacterium. Inside the capsule and the cell wall is the cell membrane. In aerobic bacteria, the reactions of cellular respiration take place on fingerlike infoldings of the cell membrane. Ribosomes are scattered throughout the cytoplasm, and the DNA is generally found in the center of the cell. Many bacilli and spirilla have flagella, which are used for locomotion in water. A few types of bacteria that lack flagella move by gliding on a surface.


What is the function of bacterial structures xy?

Bacterial cells, like plant cells, are surrounded by a cell wall. However, bacterial cell walls are made up of polysaccharide chains linked to amino acids, while plant cell walls are made up of cellulose, which contains no amino acids. Many bacteria secrete a slimy capsule around the outside of the cell wall. The capsule provides additional protection for the cell. Many of the bacteria that cause diseases in animals are surrounded by a capsule. The capsule prevents the white blood cells and antibodies from destroying the invading bacterium. Inside the capsule and the cell wall is the cell membrane. In aerobic bacteria, the reactions of cellular respiration take place on fingerlike infoldings of the cell membrane. Ribosomes are scattered throughout the cytoplasm, and the DNA is generally found in the center of the cell. Many bacilli and spirilla have flagella, which are used for locomotion in water. A few types of bacteria that lack flagella move by gliding on a surface.


What is a protective structure formed by bacteria?

Capsules. Encapsulated organisms are very tough for the body to resist because they are hiding inside a polysacharide or polypeptide shell that phagocytes do not recognize as foreign pathogens. This also means that most encapsulated bacteria are among the most pathogenic of all. Most capsule formers are responsible for horrific diseases because the body has little resistance against them.


What is the outer polysaccharide covering over the cell wall of some bacteria for protection?

It's just called a capsule.


Which structure acts like an invisibility cloak and protects bacteria from being phagocytized?

The capsule of bacteria acts like an invisibility cloak, preventing phagocytosis by immune cells. The capsule is a protective layer outside the bacterial cell wall, composed of complex polysaccharides or proteins. It helps the bacteria evade recognition and destruction by immune cells.


What is the chemical nature of capsules?

The cell capsule is a very large structure of some bacterial cells. It is a layer that lies outside the cell envelope of bacteria.


Does a prokaryotic cell have a capsule?

Some prokaryotic cells have a capsule, which is a protective layer outside the cell wall. The capsule helps the cell adhere to surfaces, evade host immune responses, and protect it from desiccation and other environmental stressors. Not all prokaryotic cells have a capsule, as it is not essential for their survival.


What is the function of a slime capsule in a bacterial cell?

A slime capsule in a bacterial cell provides protection against desiccation (drying out), phagocytosis by immune cells, and chemical attack. It also helps the bacteria adhere to surfaces and form biofilms.