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A spheroplast (or sphaeroplast in British usage) is a microbial cell from which the cell wall has been almost completely removed, as by the action of penicillin or lysozyme. According to some definitions, the term is used to describe Gram-negative bacteria.[3][4] According to other definitions, the term also encompasses yeasts.[5][6] The name spheroplast stems from the fact that after the microbe's cell wall is digested, membrane tension causes the cell to acquire a characteristic spherical shape.[4] Spheroplasts are osmotically fragile, and will lyse if transferred to a hypotonic solution.[5]
When used to describe Gram-negative bacteria, the term spheroplast refers to cells from which the peptidoglycan component but not the outer membrane component of the cell wall has been removed.[2][5]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Silver-2011was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Cushnie-2016was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Spheroplast". www.dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- ^ a b "Spheroplast". ahdictionary.com. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Protoplasts and spheroplasts". www.encyclopedia.com. Encyclopedia.com. 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- ^ "Definition of spheroplast". www.merriam-webster.com. Merriam-Webster. 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.