Editing Gram-positive bacteria (section)

== Characteristics ==
[[File:Gram-Cell-wall.svg|thumb|right|300px|Gram-positive and gram-negative cell wall structure]]
[[File:Gram-positive cellwall-schematic.png|thumb|right|Structure of gram-positive cell wall]]
In general, the following characteristics are present in gram-positive bacteria:<ref name="Brock">{{Cite book |last1=Madigan |first1=Michael T. |title=Brock Biology of Microorganisms |last2=Martinko |first2=John M. |date=2006 |publisher=Pearson Prentice Hall |isbn=978-0131443297 |edition=11th}}</ref>

# Cytoplasmic lipid membrane
# Thick [[peptidoglycan]] layer
# [[Teichoic acids]] and lipoids are present, forming [[lipoteichoic acid]]s, which serve as [[chelating]] agents, and also for certain types of adherence.
# Peptidoglycan chains are cross-linked to form rigid cell walls by a bacterial enzyme [[DD-Transpeptidase|<small>DD</small>-transpeptidase]].
# A much smaller volume of [[periplasm]] than that in gram-negative bacteria.

Only some species have a [[Bacterial capsule|capsule]], usually consisting of [[polysaccharide]]s. Only some species are [[flagellate]]s, and those with [[flagella]] have just two [[basal body]] rings for support, in contrast to the four found in Gram-negative bacteria. Both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria commonly have a surface layer called an [[S-layer]]. In gram-positive bacteria, the S-layer is attached to the peptidoglycan layer. Gram-negative bacteria's S-layer is attached directly to the [[Bacterial outer membrane|outer membrane]]. Specific to gram-positive bacteria is the presence of [[teichoic acid]]s in the cell wall. Some of these are lipoteichoic acids, which have a lipid component in the cell membrane that can assist in anchoring the peptidoglycan.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Brown |first1=Stephanie |last2=Santa Maria |first2=John P. |last3=Walker |first3=Suzanne |date=2013-09-08 |title=Wall Teichoic Acids of Gram-Positive Bacteria |journal=Annual Review of Microbiology |language=en |volume=67 |issue=1 |pages=313–336 |doi=10.1146/annurev-micro-092412-155620 |issn=0066-4227 |pmc=3883102 |pmid=24024634}}</ref>