What is the Difference Between Gram Positive and Gram Negative Cell Wall?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial cell walls lies in the structure and thickness of their peptidoglycan layers, as well as the presence or absence of an outer membrane. Here are the key differences:
- Gram-positive bacteria:
- Single-layered cell wall.
- Composed of several layers of peptidoglycan, with a total thickness of 30–100 nm.
- No outer lipid membrane.
- Retain the purple color after gram staining.
- Examples: Staphylococci, Streptococci, and some Listeria species.
- Gram-negative bacteria:
- Double-layered cell wall.
- Composed of a single layer of peptidoglycan, with a total thickness of 8–10 nm.
- Presence of an outer lipid membrane containing lipopolysaccharides.
- Appear pale reddish or pink after gram staining.
- Examples: Enterobacter species, Salmonella species, and Pseudomonas species.
The differences in cell wall structure and composition affect the bacteria's ability to retain or not retain the gram stain, which is used to differentiate between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Comparative Table: Gram Positive vs Gram Negative Cell Wall
Here is a table comparing the differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cell walls:
Feature | Gram-positive Cell Wall | Gram-negative Cell Wall |
---|---|---|
Layers | Single layered | Double layered |
Composition | Consisting of several layers of peptidoglycan | Consisting of a single layer of peptidoglycan |
Thickness | Thick | Thin |
Peptidoglycan | High amount | Low amount |
Outer Membrane | No outer lipid membrane | Outer lipid membrane present |
Gram-positive bacteria have a thick cell wall consisting of several layers of peptidoglycan, while Gram-negative bacteria have a thinner cell wall with a single layer of peptidoglycan and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides.
- Gram Positive vs Gram Negative Bacteria
- Cell Wall vs Cell Membrane
- Cell Wall vs Plasma Membrane
- Archaebacteria vs Eubacteria Cell Wall
- Gram Stain vs Culture
- Plant Cell vs Bacterial Cell
- Cell Membrane vs Cytoplasm
- Peptidoglycan vs MuramicAcid
- Cell Membrane vs Nuclear Membrane
- Electropositive vs Electronegative
- Gram Stain vs Acid Fast
- O Positive vs O Negative
- Animal Cell vs Plant Cell
- Tonoplast vs Plasma Membrane
- Capsule vs Glycocalyx
- Wall Teichoic Acid vs Lipoteichoic Acid
- Klebsiella pneumoniae vs Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Plant vs Animal Cells
- Positive vs Negative Zeta Potential