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Multiple Choice
In most bacteria, what is the primary structural component of the cell wall?
A
Chitin, a polymer of N-acetylglucosamine
B
Cellulose microfibrils cross-linked by hemicellulose
C
Peptidoglycan (murein), a polymer of sugars cross-linked by short peptides
D
A phospholipid bilayer enriched in cholesterol
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the bacterial cell wall provides structural support and protection to the cell, maintaining its shape and preventing lysis.
Recall that different organisms have distinct cell wall compositions: fungi have chitin, plants have cellulose, and bacteria have a unique polymer.
Identify that in most bacteria, the cell wall is primarily composed of peptidoglycan, also known as murein, which is a polymer consisting of sugar chains cross-linked by short peptide chains.
Recognize that peptidoglycan is made up of repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid linked together, forming a mesh-like layer outside the plasma membrane.
Conclude that the presence of peptidoglycan is a defining feature of bacterial cell walls, distinguishing them from eukaryotic cells that have other structural components like chitin or cellulose.