Visualizing Bacterial Cell Walls and Biofilms

Abstract

The surfaces of microbial cells are perhaps their most important structure because they are in immediate contact with the external environment. Microbial cell walls admit nutrients and release wastes, and yet they must resist internal turgor pressure and environmental insults and maintain cellular shape. Walls also help cells adhere to other surfaces and provide space for specialized structures such as flagella, pili, spinae, capsules, S-layers, and exopolymeric substances (EPS).