Textbook Question
You have isolated a motile, gram-positive cell with no visible nucleus. You can assume this cell has
a. Ribosomes.
b. Mitochondria.
c. An endoplasmic reticulum.
d. A Golgi complex.
e. All of the above
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7. Prokaryotic Cell Structures & Functions
Gram-Positive Cell Walls
2:01 minutesProblem 12
Textbook Question
Gram-positive bacteria __________.
a. have a thick cell wall, which retains crystal violet dye
b. contain teichoic acids in their cell walls
c. appear purple after Gram staining
d. all of the above
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the characteristics of Gram-positive bacteria, focusing on their cell wall structure and staining properties.
Recall that Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell walls, which is responsible for retaining the crystal violet dye during Gram staining.
Recognize that teichoic acids are unique components found in the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria, contributing to their structural integrity and antigenic properties.
Know that after the Gram staining procedure, Gram-positive bacteria appear purple due to the retention of the crystal violet-iodine complex in their thick cell wall.
Combine these points to conclude that all the given statements (a, b, and c) correctly describe Gram-positive bacteria, leading to the answer 'd. all of the above'.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Gram Staining Technique
Gram staining is a differential staining method used to classify bacteria into Gram-positive or Gram-negative based on their cell wall properties. Gram-positive bacteria retain the crystal violet dye, appearing purple under a microscope, due to their thick peptidoglycan layer.
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Cell Wall Structure of Gram-Positive Bacteria
Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell walls, which is responsible for retaining the crystal violet stain during Gram staining. This thick layer provides structural support and protection against environmental stresses.
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Teichoic Acids in Gram-Positive Bacteria
Teichoic acids are unique components found in the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria. They play roles in cell wall maintenance, ion regulation, and can contribute to the bacteria's ability to cause disease by interacting with host tissues.
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