mcgraw hill microbiology test bank Related

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Mycobacteria have in their cell walls:

  • A. High amount of polysaccharides
  • B. High amount of lipids
  • C. High amount of mycolic acids
  • D. High amount of proteins
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: High amount of mycolic acids. Mycobacteria are characterized by their unique cell wall composition, which includes a high amount of mycolic acids. Mycolic acids provide the bacteria with resistance to environmental stresses and are crucial for their pathogenicity. Polysaccharides (A) are not a prominent component of mycobacterial cell walls. While lipids (B) are present in mycobacterial cell walls, mycolic acids are the predominant lipid. Proteins (D) are also present but are not the defining feature of mycobacterial cell walls. Therefore, the correct answer is C due to the significant role mycolic acids play in the structure and function of mycobacterial cell walls.