Cell Surface and Envelope: Microscopy and Cell Wall Structure

This lecture covers the evolution of microscopy, the structure of cell surfaces, and the composition of cell walls in prokaryotes and archaea. It explores the techniques of gram staining, the role of surface structures like fimbriae and pili, and the functions of different membrane components. The instructor discusses the importance of the S-layer protein and presents examples of research on bacterial walls. Emphasis is placed on the structure of peptidoglycan, the composition of membranes in bacteria and archaea, and the roles of membrane-associated proteins.