title: The bacterial surface: general considerations towards design and function.
abstract: The shape of bacteria is determined by the wall which surrounds the protoplast. This enveloping structure resides in diverse chemical and organizational forms and is of fundamental importance for several aspects of cellular life and growth. This article discusses these general aspects and serves as an introduction to the journal issue and to the more specific papers which follow in the section.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002455:Cell Division; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004058:Diffusion; D005840:Gentian Violet; D010619:Phenazines
chemical_list: C035863:Gram's stain; D010619:Phenazines; D005840:Gentian Violet