L form

Definition

L-form bacteria are variant forms of bacteria that lack a cell wall. They can arise naturally or be induced in the laboratory by exposure to antibiotics or other stressors.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. L-form bacteria can survive without a rigid cell wall, unlike most typical bacterial forms.
2. They were first discovered in the bacterium Streptobacillus moniliformis and are named after the Lister Institute where they were identified.
3. L-forms can revert back to their original walled state under certain conditions.
4. These forms are often resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis, such as penicillin.
5. Research into L-forms helps scientists understand antibiotic resistance and the mechanisms of bacterial adaptation.

Review Questions

Related terms

Protoplast: A bacterial or plant cell with its cell wall removed.

Spheroplast: A gram-negative bacterium whose peptidoglycan layer has been partially removed.

Antibiotic Resistance:

The ability of microorganisms to withstand the effects of an antibiotic.