Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology (MindTap Course List)
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781337392938
Author: Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher: Cengage Learning
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 25, Problem 1TYU

Peptidoglycan is a chemical compound found in the cell walls of (a) most viroids (b) most archaea (c) all prokaryotes (d) most bacteria (e) most eukarya

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

Introduction: Bacteria and archaea are considered as prokaryotes in terms of lacking membrane-bound organelles, internal membranous structures, and cytoskeleton.

Answer to Problem 1TYU

Correct answer: Peptidoglycan is a chemical compound present in the cell walls of most bacteria. Hence, the correct answer is option (d).

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct answer:

The structures that are found in bacteria are the capsule, outer membrane, cell wall, plasma membrane, pilus, microcompartments, plasmid, endospores, and flagellum. The cell wall of most bacteria is made up of peptidoglycan layer. In Gram-positive bacteria, the cell wall is primarily composed of a thick layer of peptidoglycan. Gram-negative bacteria are surrounded by two membranes: outer thick membrane is made up of lipopolysaccharides and thin peptidoglycan layer.

Option (d) is given as “most bacteria”.

Bacterial cell wall is primarily composed of peptidoglycan. Hence, the correct answer is option (d).

Reason for incorrect answers:

Option (a) is given as, “most viroids”.

Viroids are the smallest infectious entities without a protein coat and cell wall. Hence, option (a) is incorrect.

Option (b) is given as, “most archaea”.

The cell wall of archaea lacks peptidoglycan. Instead it is composed of proteins and polysaccharides. Hence, option (b) is incorrect.

Option (c) is given as, “all prokaryotes”.

Archaea and bacteria are included under prokaryotes and as archaea lacks peptidoglycan in their cell walls. Thus, the statement “all prokaryotes have peptidoglycan in their cell walls” is not correct. Hence, option (c) is incorrect.

Option (e) is given as, “most eukarya”.

Peptidoglycan is not the component of cell walls of eukarya. Eukaryotic cell walls are composed of polysaccharide such as in plants (cellulose) and fungi (chitin). Hence, option (e) is incorrect.

Hence, the options (a), (b), (c), and (e) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Peptidoglycan is a component of most of the bacterial cell wall.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Chapter 25 Solutions

Biology (MindTap Course List)

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781259398629
Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
Text book image
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780815344322
Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Text book image
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781260159363
Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Text book image
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9781260231700
Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:McGraw Hill Education
Biology - Intro to Cell Structure - Quick Review!; Author: The Organic Chemistry Tutor;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwAJ8ByQH2U;License: Standard youtube license