Multiple Choice
Which group of bacteria is unusual in that they lack peptidoglycan in their cell walls?
26. Prokaryotes
Prokaryotic Diversity
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Which of the following is a difference between bacteria and archaea?
A
Archaea are unicellular, and bacteria are colonial.
B
Many archaea are extremophiles, but no bacteria are.
C
Bacteria are autotrophic, and archaea are heterotrophic.
D
Only bacteria have circular chromosomes.
E
They have different chemicals in their cell membranes and cell walls.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that both bacteria and archaea are prokaryotic organisms, meaning they lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Recognize that one of the key differences between bacteria and archaea lies in their cell membrane and cell wall composition.
Bacteria have cell walls that contain peptidoglycan, a polymer that provides structural support, whereas archaea have cell walls that do not contain peptidoglycan but instead have unique lipids and proteins.
Archaea often have ether-linked lipids in their cell membranes, which are different from the ester-linked lipids found in bacterial membranes.
Consider that these chemical differences in cell membrane and wall composition contribute to the ability of many archaea to survive in extreme environments, a characteristic not shared by all bacteria.
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