Textbook Question
Explain why prokaryote populations can adapt rapidly to changes in their environment.
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Ch. 16 Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 Biology: The Study of Scientific Life19
- Ch. 2 The Chemical Basis of Life17
- Ch. 3 The Molecules of Cells21
- Ch. 4 A Tour of the Cell20
- Ch. 5 The Working Cell17
- Ch. 6 How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy18
- Ch. 7 Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food15
- Ch. 8 The Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance22
- Ch. 9 Patterns of Inheritance17
- Ch. 10 Molecular Biology of the Gene13
- Ch. 11 How Genes Are Controlled13
- Ch. 12 DNA Technology and Genomics23
- Ch. 13 How Populations Evolve17
- Ch. 14 The Origin of Species19
- Ch. 15 Tracing Evolutionary History18
- Ch. 16 Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists16
- Ch. 17 The Evolution of Plant and Fungal Diversity15
- Ch. 18 The Evolution of Invertebrate Diversity13
- Ch. 19 The Evolution of Vertebrate Diversity18
- Ch. 20 Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function11
- Ch. 21 Nutrition and Digestion16
- Ch. 22 Gas Exchange16
- Ch. 23 Circulation17
- Ch. 24 The Immune System16
- Ch. 25 Control of Body Temperature and Water Balance20
- Ch. 26 Hormones and the Endocrine System10
- Ch. 27 Reproduction and Embryonic Development12
- Ch. 28 Nervous Systems10
- Ch. 29 The Senses12
- Ch. 30 How Animals Move19
- Ch. 31 Plant Structure, Growth, and Reproduction9
- Ch. 32 Plant Nutrition and Transport12
- Ch. 33 Control Systems in Plants15
- Ch. 34 The Biosphere: An Introduction to Earth's Diverse Environments15
- Ch. 35 Behavioral Adaptations to the Environment12
- Ch. 36 Population Ecology15
- Ch. 37 Communities and Ecosystems14
- Ch. 38 Conservation Biology14
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783Not the one you use?Change textbook
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Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan 10th EditionCh. 16 Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and ProtistsProblem 11
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan 10th EditionCh. 16 Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and ProtistsProblem 11Chapter 16, Problem 11
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 guidance1
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.
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05:35
Endospores
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.
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01:58Peptidoglycan
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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02:59Carbon Source: Heterotrophs vs. Autotrophs
Related Practice
Textbook Question
What characteristic distinguishes true multicellularity from colonies of cells?
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Chlamydomonas is a unicellular green alga. How does it differ from a photosynthetic bacterium, which is also single-celled? How does it differ from a protozoan, such as an amoeba? How does it differ from larger green algae, such as sea lettuce (Ulva)?
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Which of the following experiments could test the hypothesis that bacteria cause ulcers in humans? (Assume each experiment includes a control group.) Explain what evidence would be provided by the results of the experiment.
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b. Treat a group of ulcer patients with antibiotics.
c. Place a group of ulcer patients on a strict low-acid diet.
d. Obtain stomach fluid from ulcer patents and feed it to mice.
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Probiotics, foods and supplements that contain living microorganisms, are thought to cure problems of the digestive tract by restoring the natural balance of its microbial community. Sales of these products total billions of dollars a year. Explore the topic of probiotics and evaluate the scientific evidence for their beneficial effects. A good starting point is the website of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates advertising claims of health benefits of dietary supplements. U.S. Food and Drug Administration website, www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements.
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