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Ch. 1 - The Microbial World and You
Tortora - Microbiology: An Introduction 14th Edition
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTortora 14th EditionCh. 1 - The Microbial World and YouProblem 2
Chapter 1, Problem 2

Which of the following is not a characteristic of bacteria?
a. Are prokaryotic
b. Have peptidoglycan cell walls
c. Have the same shape
d. Grow by binary fission
e. Have the ability to move

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1
Step 1: Understand the characteristics of bacteria. Bacteria are unicellular prokaryotic organisms, meaning they lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Step 2: Review each option in the question to determine if it correctly describes bacteria:
Step 3: Option a states bacteria are prokaryotic, which is true because bacteria do not have a nucleus.
Step 4: Option b states bacteria have peptidoglycan cell walls, which is true as peptidoglycan is a major component of bacterial cell walls.
Step 5: Option c states bacteria have the same shape, which is incorrect because bacteria exhibit a variety of shapes such as cocci (spherical), bacilli (rod-shaped), and spirilla (spiral-shaped).

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Key Concepts

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

Prokaryotic Cell Structure

Bacteria are prokaryotes, meaning they lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Their genetic material is found in a nucleoid region, and their cellular processes occur in the cytoplasm, distinguishing them from eukaryotic cells.
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Overview of Prokaryotic Cell Structure

Bacterial Cell Wall Composition

Most bacteria have cell walls made of peptidoglycan, a polymer that provides structural support and shape. This feature is unique to bacteria and helps protect them from environmental stress and osmotic pressure.
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Introduction to Bacterial Cell Walls

Bacterial Morphology and Reproduction

Bacteria exhibit diverse shapes such as rods, spheres, and spirals, so they do not have the same shape. They reproduce asexually through binary fission, a process where one cell divides into two identical daughter cells, and many can move using structures like flagella.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Which of the following is the most important element of Koch’s germ theory of disease? The animal shows disease symptoms when

a. the animal has been in contact with a sick animal.

b. the animal has a lowered resistance.

c. a microorganism is observed in the animal.

d. a microorganism is inoculated into the animal.

e. microorganisms can be cultured from the animal.

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Textbook Question

Recombinant DNA is

a. DNA in bacteria

b. The study of how genes work

c. The DNA resulting when genes of two different organisms are mixed

d. The use of bacteria in the production of foods

e. The production of proteins by genes

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Textbook Question

Match the microorganisms in column A to their descriptions in column B.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is a scientific name?

a. Mycobacterium tuberculosis

b. Tubercle bacillus

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Textbook Question

Into which field of microbiology would the following scientists best fit?

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Textbook Question

Briefly state the role microorganisms play in each of the following:

a. Biological control of pests

b. Recycling of elements

c. Normal microbiota

d. Sewage treatment

e. Human insulin production

f. Vaccine production

g. Biofilms

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