Anatomy

Bacterial Capsules

An envelope of loose gel surrounding a bacterial cell which is associated with the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Some capsules have a well-defined border, whereas others form a slime layer that trails off into the medium. Most capsules consist of relatively simple polysaccharides but there are some bacteria whose capsules are made of polypeptides.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

An envelope of loose gel surrounding a bacterial cell which is associated with the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Some capsules have a well-defined border, whereas others form a slime layer that trails off into the medium. Most capsules consist of relatively simple polysaccharides but there are some bacteria whose capsules are made of polypeptides.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Bacterial Capsule
  • Capsule, Bacterial
  • Capsules, Bacterial

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

13 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, drug effects, enzymology, genetics, immunology, metabolism, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

92

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial (1966-1991)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. A20.186w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Bacterial Capsules. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D016667. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D016667
  2. Bacterial Capsules. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterial_capsule
  3. Bacterial Capsules. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1137328