Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

26. Prokaryotes

Prokaryotic Cell Structure

General Biology

26. Prokaryotes

Prokaryotic Cell Structure

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0:54 minutes

Problem 11

Textbook Question

The bacteria that cause tetanus can be killed only by prolonged heating at temperatures considerably above boiling. This suggests that tetanus bacteria
a. Have cell walls containing peptidoglycan.
b. Secrete endotoxins.
c. Are autotrophic.
d. Produce endospores.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the problem: The question is asking which characteristic of tetanus bacteria allows them to survive prolonged heating at temperatures above boiling. This requires knowledge of bacterial structures and survival mechanisms.

Recall the concept of endospores: Endospores are highly resistant structures formed by certain bacteria to survive extreme conditions, including high temperatures, desiccation, and chemical exposure. This is a key survival mechanism for some bacteria.

Evaluate the options: Analyze each answer choice: (a) Peptidoglycan is a component of bacterial cell walls, but it does not provide resistance to extreme heat. (b) Endotoxins are toxins released by bacteria, but they do not explain heat resistance. (c) Autotrophic bacteria produce their own food, but this is unrelated to heat resistance. (d) Endospores are specifically designed to withstand extreme conditions, including prolonged heating.

Connect the information: Based on the explanation above, the ability to survive prolonged heating is most likely due to the production of endospores, as this is a well-documented survival strategy for certain bacteria, including those that cause tetanus.

Conclude the reasoning: The correct answer is likely (d) because endospores are the only feature listed that directly explains the bacteria's ability to survive prolonged heating at temperatures above boiling.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Endospores

Endospores are highly resistant structures formed by certain bacteria, allowing them to survive extreme conditions, including high temperatures and desiccation. When environmental conditions become unfavorable, bacteria like Clostridium tetani (the causative agent of tetanus) can form endospores, which can remain dormant for long periods. This resilience explains why prolonged heating is necessary to kill these bacteria.

Peptidoglycan

Peptidoglycan is a polymer that forms a protective layer in the cell walls of bacteria, providing structural integrity. While it is a characteristic feature of bacterial cells, the presence of peptidoglycan does not directly relate to the heat resistance of tetanus bacteria. Instead, it is more relevant to the classification of bacteria as Gram-positive or Gram-negative.

Autotrophic vs. Heterotrophic

Autotrophic organisms can produce their own food from inorganic substances, while heterotrophic organisms rely on consuming organic material. Tetanus bacteria, being heterotrophic, obtain nutrients from their environment, typically from the host's tissues. This distinction is important for understanding bacterial metabolism but does not explain the heat resistance of tetanus bacteria.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Explain how each of the following characteristics contributes to the success of prokaryotes: cell wall, capsule, flagella, fimbriae, endospores.

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Textbook Question

Unlike plant cell walls that contain cellulose, bacterial cell walls are composed of ___________.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following correctly describe the fermentation pathway? Select True or False for each statement.

T/FIt includes a reaction that oxidizes NADH to NAD⁺.

T/FIt synthesizes ATP by substrate-level phosphorylation.

T/FIt includes a reaction that reduces NAD⁺ to NADH.

T/FIt synthesizes electron acceptors, so that cellular respiration can continue.

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Textbook Question

A new organism has been discovered. Tests have revealed that it is unicellular, is autotrophic, and has a cell wall that contains peptidoglycan. Based on this evidence, it should be classified as a(n)

a. Alga.

b. Archaean.

c. Protist.

d. Bacterium.

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Textbook Question

The traditional tree of life (shown above) presents the three domains as distinct, monophyletic lineages. However, other hypotheses propose different views on the relationships among the Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. In particular, the two-domain hypothesis—or eocyte hypothesis—is emerging as a well-supported alternative to the three-domain hypothesis. The eocyte hypothesis, illustrated below, suggests that eukaryotes evolved from eocytes (also known as the Crenarchaeota—a major lineage of the Archaea). Resolving the relationships among these ancient lineages is difficult, but it has profound implications on our understanding of the origin of eukaryotic cells.

The Bacteria and Archaea both include microscopic prokaryotes that lack membrane-bound nuclei. What criteria have led to the classification of these two groups as separate domains?

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Open Question

Researchers examined the relationship between gut microbiomes and depression. To do so, they collected fecal samples from people with depression and also a control group of individuals with no signs of depression. They then performed a fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) by adding the samples to rats that had no gut microbiota and examined behaviors associated with depression and anxiety as well as species of bacteria that ended up growing in the rats’ guts. The results are presented below. Graph (a) shows the rats’ interest in a pleasurable experience (drinking sugar water). Graph (b) shows the amount of time rats spent out in the open versus along the edge of an area (a sign of anxiety). Graph (c) shows the number of species observed in rats after FMT.

Patients from the depression group had relatively high levels of bacteria in the genus Paraprevotella (a Gram-negative bacterium) relative to the control group of patients. Which of the following is a structural difference between Paraprevotella and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a Gram-positive bacterium?

a. Paraprevotella contains a thick layer of peptidoglycan in its cell wall and MRSA lacks peptidoglycan.

b. The plasma membrane of Paraprevotella is surrounded by a cell wall that contains a relatively thin layer of peptidoglycan and an outer membrane and MRSA cells are surrounded by cell walls with a relatively thick layer of peptidoglycan,

c. Paraprevotella produces endospores but MRSA does not.

d. Paraprevotella lacks a plasma membrane but MRSA cells are surrounded by two plasma membranes.

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Multiple Choice

Which is (are) true concerning the cell wall of prokaryotes?

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Multiple Choice

The peptidoglycan molecule is responsible for the:

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