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Reference.org
Slime layer
open-in-new
<p>A slime layer in <a href="/facts/Bacteria/wC8xSCsU">bacteria</a> is an easily removable (e.g. by <a href="/facts/Centrifugation/q9WkB8T4">centrifugation</a>), unorganized layer of <a href="/facts/Extracellular/UEPUhSN8">extracellular</a> material that surrounds bacteria cells. Specifically, this consists mostly of <a href="/facts/Exopolysaccharide/5u7aCf2l">exopolysaccharides</a>, <a href="/facts/Glycoprotein/bKPzzW7m">glycoproteins</a>, and <a href="/facts/Glycolipid/QUR36mXd">glycolipids</a>. Therefore, the slime layer is considered as a subset of <a href="/facts/Glycocalyx/mozTP4zq">glycocalyx</a>. </p><p>While slime layers and <a href="/facts/Bacterial_capsule/FVSHDlXL">capsules</a> are found most commonly in bacteria, these structures do exist in <a href="/facts/Archaea/Adxh0aHw">archaea</a> as well, albeit rarely. This information about structure and function is also transferable to these microorganisms too. </p>