Biology A-Level
capsule
What capsule means in Biology A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of capsule
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain capsule in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
A slime layer of polysaccharide outside the cell wall that helps the cell stick to surfaces, retains moisture and makes the bacterium harder for a phagocyte to engulf.
Topics that use capsule
- Structure of prokaryotic cells and of viruses (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- attachment proteins and host receptors
- no membrane-bound organelles
- plasmids
- 70S ribosomes
- acellular structure
- capsid and genetic material
- circular DNA and nucleoid
- flagellum
Using capsule in the exam
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