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Lipopolysaccharides
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LPS - In gram negative bacteria the outer membrane is covered by lipopolysaccharides.
The lipopolysaccharides consist of complex polysaccharides covalently linked to lipid A.
LPS is split by mild hydrolysis into its components. Lipid A bas endotoxin properties.
While the polysaccharide has antigenic properties.
Loss of the polysaccharide portion by mutation does not have any injurious effect on the organism.
The lipid A, along with the first sugar molecule KDO of the polysaccharide, plays an essential role in the cell envelope.
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