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Multiple Choice
What is the primary structural difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria?
A
Gram-positive bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer, while Gram-negative bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer.
B
Gram-positive bacteria have a single lipid bilayer, while Gram-negative bacteria have multiple lipid bilayers.
C
Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer, while Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane.
D
Gram-positive bacteria have an outer membrane, while Gram-negative bacteria lack an outer membrane.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the basic structure of bacterial cell walls: Bacteria are classified into two main groups based on their cell wall structure, which can be identified using the Gram stain technique.
Identify the characteristics of Gram-positive bacteria: Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer, which retains the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining process, giving them a purple appearance under a microscope.
Identify the characteristics of Gram-negative bacteria: Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an additional outer membrane, which does not retain the crystal violet stain but takes up the counterstain (safranin), appearing pink under a microscope.
Compare the structural differences: The primary structural difference is that Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer, while Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane.
Recognize the implications of these differences: The structural differences affect the bacteria's susceptibility to antibiotics and their interaction with the host's immune system, as the outer membrane in Gram-negative bacteria can act as a barrier to certain antibiotics.