The Prokaryotic Cell Organization:
Prokaryotic organisms have varying cell shapes. The most common bacteria shapes are spherical,
rod-shaped, and spiral.
Using bacteria as our sample prokaryote, the following structures and organelles can be found in
bacterial cells:
(A) Appendages
1. Pili - straight hairlike appendages; they are usually short; all gram negative bacteria have pili;
function is to attach bacteria to other bacteria, other cells, or other surfaces (not for locomotion):
a. sex pili allow one bacterial cell to adhere to another (cells can actually exchange genetic
material through the pili - this is the closest bacteria get to sexual reproduction!);
called conjugation.
5
Prokaryotic organisms have varying cell shapes. The most common bacteria shapes are spherical,
rod-shaped, and spiral.
Using bacteria as our sample prokaryote, the following structures and organelles can be found in
bacterial cells:
(A) Appendages
1. Pili - straight hairlike appendages; they are usually short; all gram negative bacteria have pili;
function is to attach bacteria to other bacteria, other cells, or other surfaces (not for locomotion):
a. sex pili allow one bacterial cell to adhere to another (cells can actually exchange genetic
material through the pili - this is the closest bacteria get to sexual reproduction!);
called conjugation.
5
