Feature of Gram-Positive Cell Wall
- Thick peptidoglycan layer: Outside of the cytoplasmic membrane, gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer. The cell’s structural support and defense are provided by this peptidoglycan layer.
- Teichoic acids are polymers made of glycerol, ribitol, or glycol that are covalently attached to the peptidoglycan layer in gram-positive bacteria. Teichoic acids are involved in the preservation of cell structure, cell division, and antibiotic resistance.
- Outside of the peptidoglycan layer, Gram-positive bacteria do not possess an outer membrane, in contrast to Gram-negative bacteria. Instead, a layer of proteins and lipids covers the peptidoglycan layer.
- Susceptibility to specific antibiotics: Due to the thick peptidoglycan coating, Gram-positive bacteria are vulnerable to drugs like penicillin and cephalosporins that attack this structure.
Difference Between Gram Positive and Gram Negative Cell Wall
Cell walls of gram-positive bacteria are thick and predominantly made of peptidoglycan. In the cell wall of gram-positive bacteria, long chains of sugars and amino acids make up the complex chemical known as peptidoglycan, which supports the bacterial cell wall structurally. Whereas, Gram-negative bacteria have a multilayered cell wall that is a complex construction. The outer membrane, of Gram-negative bacteria, is composed of proteins and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which is the outermost layer.