Slime layer

A slime layer in bacteria is an easily removed (by centrifugation, etc.), unorganized layer of extracellular material that surrounds bacteria cells. Specifically, this consists mostly of exopolysaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids.

The slime layer is not to be confused with the S-layer, a separate and highly organised glycoprotein layer surrounding many bacterial cells.

The function of the slime layer is to protect the bacteria cells from environmental dangers such as antibiotics and desiccation. The slime layer also allows bacteria to adhere to smooth surfaces such as prosthetic medical devices and catheters. It may permit bacterial colonies to survive chemical sterilization with chlorine, iodine, and other chemicals, leaving autoclaving or flushing with boiling water as the only certain methods of decontamination.

A bacterial capsule is similar, but is a well ordered structure that is resistant to washing off.

Cell envelope	Cell membrane Cell wall: Peptidoglycan NAM NAG DAP Gram-positive bacteria only: Teichoic acid Lipoteichoic acid Endospore Gram-negative bacteria only: Bacterial outer membrane Porin Lipopolysaccharide Periplasmic space Mycobacteria only: Arabinogalactan Mycolic acid

Outside envelope	Bacterial capsule Slime layer S-layer Glycocalyx Pilus Fimbria

Composite	Biofilm

Shapes

Index of bacterial disease

Description	Bacteria classification Growth media

Disease	Gram-positive firmicutes Gram-positive actinobacteria Gram-negative proteobacteria Gram-negative non-proteobacteria Cholera Tuberculosis

Treatment	Antibiotics cell wall nucleic acid mycobacteria protein synthesis other Antibodies Vaccines

Slime layer

See also