ABSTRACT

Carbohydrates and polysaccharides represent the important basic elements of cellular structures. Due to this fact, they play a major role in the adherence mechanisms between the cells, irrespective of the organisms considered. There are numerous contact points at various locations between the bacterial wall and the cytoplasmic membrane. In general, bacteria have sufficient reserves in isoprenoids to ensure the simultaneous synthesis of peptidoglucans, polysaccharides, and lipopolysaccharides. The structural diagram of these lipopolysaccharides is summarized by a bond between the polysaccharides and a glycolipid. In bacteria, one of the basic constituents of the wall is diaminopimelic acid, a forerunner of a certain number of polypeptides and heteropolypeptides. Neuraminic acid is most often present in cellular membranes. The participation of uronic acids and their derivatives is generally recognized in the structure of Gram-positive bacteria. A particularity of Mycobacteria lies in the presence of waxes, esters of monobasic acids with long chains of carbon and monohydric alcohols.