Which of the following is not a function of a glycocalyx?

a. It forms pseudopods for faster mobility of an organism.
b. It can protect a bacterial cell from drying out.
c. It hides a bacterial cell from other cells.
d. It allows a bacterium to stick to a host.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand what a glycocalyx is. The glycocalyx is a gelatinous, sticky substance surrounding the outside of some bacterial cells, composed mainly of polysaccharides and sometimes proteins.

Step 2: Review the known functions of the glycocalyx. It helps bacteria adhere to surfaces (including host tissues), protects against desiccation (drying out), and can help evade the host immune system by hiding the bacterial cell.

Step 3: Analyze each option in the question: Option a suggests the glycocalyx forms pseudopods for mobility, which is a function typically associated with eukaryotic cells, not bacteria or their glycocalyx.

Step 4: Compare the other options (b, c, d) with known functions of the glycocalyx. These options align with its protective and adhesive roles.

Step 5: Conclude that the function not associated with the glycocalyx is forming pseudopods for faster mobility, as this is unrelated to the glycocalyx structure or function.

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Key Concepts

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

Glycocalyx Structure and Function

The glycocalyx is a sticky, gelatinous layer surrounding some bacterial cells, composed mainly of polysaccharides. It serves to protect the cell from desiccation, helps bacteria adhere to surfaces, and can shield them from immune detection by hiding antigenic sites.

Bacterial Motility Mechanisms

Bacteria move using structures like flagella or by gliding, but not by forming pseudopods. Pseudopods are extensions of the cytoplasm used by some eukaryotic cells, such as amoebae, for movement and engulfing particles, which is unrelated to bacterial glycocalyx.

Role of Glycocalyx in Immune Evasion and Adhesion

The glycocalyx can mask bacterial surface antigens, helping evade host immune responses. It also facilitates adhesion to host tissues, which is critical for colonization and infection, making it a key factor in bacterial pathogenicity.

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