Glossary

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P

peptidoglycan

A major component of bacterial cell walls. A large polymer, consisting of sugars and amino acids, that forms a mesh-like layer outside the bacterial cell membrane.

plasmid

A circular, non-chromosomal piece of DNA often carrying genes associated with a particular function, e.g. antibiotic resistance.

porin

A transmembrane protein complex that allows the movement of small molecules across the bacterial outer membrane.

prokaryotes

One of the two main categories of living things (the other is eukaryotes). Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, mitochondria and other membrane-bound organelles.