Question

While investigating a newly discovered gram-negative bacterium, you find that when the bacteria die, the host experiences severe fever and inflammation. you suspect that the bacterium has __________ in its outer wall membrane?

Answer 1

This bacterium is has endotoxins inside it, and most likely it's Lipid A.  Endotoxins are poisons that live inside gram negative bacteria's cell membranes, and when the cell membrane breaks down, these little toxins come out and then they take effect.  Lipid A is a lipid (fat) endotoxin that chills in the third level of the lipopolysaccharide part of the membrane.