Question

Most bacteria live in a solution that is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the bacteria. This means that the bacterial cell is constantly taking in water. The cell wall of a bacterium is a peptidoglycan polymer that is tightly cross-linked. This would therefore function to:_________-.

Answer 1

Answer:

Provide rigidity to the bacterial cell

Explanation:

The bacteria possess a cell wall composed of peptidoglycan molecule formed by the amino acids called murine.  The bacterial cell wall helps in the survival of the bacteria in some extreme condition like when placed in a hypotonic solution.

The hypotonic solution is formed when it has low solute concentration and high water amount when compared. When the bacterial cell will be placed in hypotonic solution then the water will move inside the cell down the concentration gradient as a result of which the bacterial cell will swell but will not burst.

This happens as the cell wall contains expansin protein which allows the cell wall to expand and provides rigidity to the cell.

Thus, Provide rigidity to the bacterial cell is the correct answer.

Answer 2

Most bacteria live in a solution that is hypotonic relative to the cytoplasm of the bacteria. This means that the bacterial cell is constantly taking in water. The cell wall of a bacterium is a peptidoglycan polymer that is tightly cross-linked. This would therefore function to:_________-.

A. regulate the flow of most molecules into and out of the bacterial cell.

B. provide a rigid wall that prevents the cell from swelling.

C. provide a rigid wall that prevents the cell from shrinking.

D. confirm a close relationship to plant cells that have a similar structure and live in hypotonic solutions.

E. make all bacteria fairly uniform in metabolic chemistry.

Answer:

B. provide a rigid wall that prevents the cell from swelling.

Explanation:

When organisms are present in hypotonic surroundings, their cells that are in contact with the surroundings tend to gain water. Bacteria present in hypotonic solution would gain water as their cells are hypertonic than the surroundings. The entry of water would increase the volume of cytoplasm and could lead to the bursting of the cell. However, the presence of a cell wall made up of cross-linked peptidoglycan prevents the swelling of the bacterial cell and allow them to survive in hypotonic surroundings.