What is a capsule simple definition?
: a very small container that is filled with medicine and swallowed whole. : a small glass or plastic container that has something (such as a liquid) inside of it. : a small part of a spacecraft that is separate from the rest of the spacecraft and that is where people live and work.
What is capsule in microbiology?
Capsules are the outmost structures of bacterial and fungal cells. The capsules protect microbial cells from immune recognition and killing during infection of mammalian hosts. Except for the poly-γ-glutamate (PGA) capsule of Bacillus anthracis, other known capsules are all composed of polysaccharides.
What is a capsule in a plant?
capsule, in botany, dry fruit that opens when ripe. It splits from apex to base into separate segments known as valves, as in the iris, or forms pores at the top (poppy), or splits around the circumference, with the top falling off (pigweed and plantain).
What is capsule in human body?
Anatomical terminology In anatomy, a joint capsule or articular capsule is an envelope surrounding a synovial joint. Each joint capsule has two parts: an outer fibrous layer or membrane, and an inner synovial layer or membrane.
What is capsule in prokaryotic cell?
Many prokaryotes have a sticky outermost layer called the capsule, which is usually made of polysaccharides (sugar polymers). The capsule helps prokaryotes cling to each other and to various surfaces in their environment, and also helps prevent the cell from drying out.
What is a capsule organelle?
What is the function of a capsule in a bacterial structure?
Capsules can protect a bacterial cell from ingestion and destruction by white blood cells (phagocytosis). While the exact mechanism for escaping phagocytosis is unclear, it may occur because capsules make bacterial surface components more slippery, helping the bacterium to escape engulfment by phagocytic cells.
What is capsule in biology class 11?
The capsule is a thick and tough covering found in certain bacteria. It protects the bacteria from dessication and helps it to survive the unfavourable conditions.
What is the function of synovial capsule?
The bones of a synovial joint are surrounded by a synovial capsule, which secretes synovial fluid to lubricate and nourish the joint while acting as a shock absorber. The ends of the joint bones are covered with smooth, glass-like hyaline cartilage which reduces friction during movement.
What are capsules used?
Capsules are easier to swallow and are used by manufacturers when the drug cannot be compacted into a solid tablet. They are also useful when the drug needs to be mixed with oil or other liquid to aid absorption in the body. It is normally a shell or container made of gelatin that contains the drug.
Is a capsule in plant cells?
Prokaryotic cells have a small, simple structure compared to eukaryotic cells. Together, the pili, capsule, cell wall, and plasma membrane are called a cell envelope. Eukaryotic cells do not have a cell envelope, as both animal and plant cells lack pili and a capsule and plant cells do not have a cell wall.
What is the definition of capsule in biology?
In anatomy, a capsule refers to the membranous sheath that surrounds a bodily organ such as kidney, or the fibrous tissues that surrounds a joint. In botany, a capsule is a dehiscent fruit which, at maturity, split apart (dehisce) to release the seeds within.
What does the capsule do on a bacterial cell?
bacterial capsule a gelatinous envelope surrounding a bacterial cell , usually polysaccharide but sometimes polypeptide in nature; it is associated with the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Bowman’s capsule the globular dilatation forming the beginning of a renal tubule and surrounding the glomerulus.
What is the function of a capsule in a cell?
Function of capsule: Prevent the cell from desiccation and drying: capsular polysaccharide bind significant amount of water making cell resistant to drying. Protection: it protect from mechanical injury, temperature, drying etc. Attachment: capsule helps in attachment on the surface.
What is the function of capsule in bacteria?
Most capsules are hydrophilic (“water-loving”) and may help the bacterium avoid desiccation (dehydration) by preventing water loss. Capsules can protect a bacterial cell from ingestion and destruction by white blood cells ( phagocytosis ).