The glycocalyx and slime layer help bacteria to adhere to external surfaces or other bacteria to produce colonies. These structures prevent phagocytosis and desiccation (the capsule retains water). 

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The capsule is the extracellular layer of the bacterial cell. Generally, they are composed of polysaccharides and proteins. The capsule may allow a bacteria to be more infectious by making it more difficult to be engulfed by white blood cells. 

Capsule

A bacterial capsule is a rigid layer of polysaccharides. They allow bacteria to stick to surfaces.

Glycocalyx

The slime layer is a looser layer attached to the cell wall.

Slime Layer

Al-mohanna, Moshtaq & H., quine. (2016). MORPHOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION OF BACTERIA. 

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