Question

Most bacteria live in a solution that is hypertonic relative to the cytoplasm of the bacteria. The cell wall of a bacterium is a peptidoglycan polymer that is rightly cross-linked. This would, therefore, function to

• A. Provide a rigid wall that prevents the cell from swelling
• B. Provide a rigid cell wall that prevents shrinking
• C. Regulate the flow of most molecules into and out of the bacterial cell
• D. Confirm a close relationship to plant cells that have a similar structure and live in hypotonic solutions

Answer 1

The correct option is B Provide a rigid cell wall that prevents shrinking

When the cell is placed in the hypotonic solution, the water moves outside the cell causing shrinkage of the cell. The bacterial cell is placed in the hypotonic solution does not shrinks. The cell wall is rigid and composed of peptidoglycan which contains N-acetyl muramic acid, N-acetyl glucosamine and amino acids linked together to form a network. This network prevents the outflow of water and the cell does not shrinks.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.