The main difference between L-form bacteria and mycoplasma is that L-form bacteria have lost their cell wall due to mutations and exposure to certain antibiotics, whereas mycoplasma evolves without having a cell wall naturally.
L-form bacteria and mycoplasma are two types of bacteria without cell walls. The cell wall is a component present in many types of cells, including plant cells and bacterial cells. It is the outermost covering of the cell. However, animal cells do not possess a cell wall. Cell walls perform important functions in the cells of certain organisms. The main function of the cell wall is to provide structural support to the cell. Other functions also include providing protection to the internal organelles and constituents of the cell, protecting against any harmful foreign body, and allowing the exchange of chemicals in required amounts, etc. Moreover, cell walls can be subject to damage or to degradation due to instances like confronting harmful chemicals and physical damage.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are L-form Bacteria
– Definition, Features, Shape
2. What is Mycoplasma
– Definition, Features, Shape
3. Difference Between L-form Bacteria and Mycoplasma
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Cell Wall-deficient Bacteria, L-phase Bacteria, L-form Bacteria, Mycoplasma
What are L-form Bacteria
L-form bacteria are a type of bacteria without a cell wall derived from other bacteria. L-forms are often known as cell wall-deficient bacteria or L-phase bacteria. They are very small in size, about 0.01 microns in diameter.
These bacteria are able to grow as protoplasts and spheroplasts. They divide by a variety of processes, including membrane blebbing, tubulation, vesiculation, and fission. Moreover, the L-form bacteria are pleomorphic, meaning they can change their size and shape. Additionally, the small individual forms of L-form bacteria are known as coccoid bodies. Sometimes these coccoid bodies exist together as groups, which appear as a string of pearls. L- forms sometimes can also grow into large bodies. L-form bacteria lack flagella, so they show gliding movements similar to the movement of a snail. L-form replicates in several different methods, such as binary fission, budding, and filamentous growth. Granules bud from the bacterium body give rise to new L-form cells. Some cells form large bodies after replication, like Proteus.
L-form bacteria have the potential to live inside the immune system. L-shaped bacteria can infect many cell types, but mostly they infect macrophages.
What is Mycoplasma
Mycoplasma is a bacterium that lacks a cell wall around its cell membrane. They are either spherical or filamentous in shape. There are about 200 types of mycoplasma, most of which are less harmful. Mycoplasma is very small compared to bacteria. They lack peptidoglycan.
Since mycoplasmas do not have cell walls, some antibiotics like Penicillin do not work against them. In fact, mycoplasma bacteria can infect different parts of the body, like respiratory, urinary, and genital areas. The area of infection in the body or the body part infected depends on the type of mycoplasma. The condition of the infection caused by mycoplasma can vary from mild to severe in humans. Examples of mycoplasma are Ureaplasma parvum, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum. The most common mycoplasma that causes pneumonia in humans is Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Mycoplasma is also associated with urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Mycoplasma also causes infections in animals and plants. It can also contaminate cell cultures in research.
Difference Between L-form Bacteria and Mycoplasma
Definition
L-form bacteria are bacteria that have lost their cell wall due to mutations and exposure to certain antibiotics, whereas mycoplasma is bacteria that evolve without having a cell wall naturally.
Shape
Moreover, l-form bacteria take a variety of shapes according to the environment, whereas mycoplasma is a small spherical or pleomorphic organism that can change its shape.
Culture
L-form bacteria are difficult to cultivate in the laboratory as they require specific growth conditions, whereas mycoplasma are relatively easier to grow in the laboratory.
Conclusion
In brief, L-form bacteria and mycoplasma are two types of bacteria without cell walls. The main difference between L-form bacteria and mycoplasma is that L-form bacteria have lost their cell wall due to mutations and exposure to certain antibiotics, whereas mycoplasma evolves without having a cell wall naturally.
Reference:
1. “L-form bacteria, cell walls and the origins of life.” National Library of Medicine.
2. “Mycoplasmas.” National Library of Medicine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “M. haemofelis IP2011” By The Red Lexicon – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “TEM of L-form bacteria-Mark Leaver Newcastle University” By Nr387241 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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