Question

Which of the following statements are true with regard to Mycobacterium?

Answer 1

Answer:

2, 4 and 5

Explanation:

The wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (a typical Mycobacterium) has a high lipid content, hence it does not respond to gram staining. Instead, acid-fast staining or Ziehl-Neelsen stain is used in its identification.

The cell wall of Mycobacterium species is thicker in comparison with other bacteria in the sense that it is hydrophobic, waxy and contains a unique acidic wax, known as mycolic acid.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an obligate aerobe, which means it is strictly dependent on oxygen. It thrives (multiplies) best under this condition.

Some species of Mycobacterium ate saprophytic i.e. they live on dead organic matter while some are obligate parasites that live on tissues e.g M.tubercosis and M.leprae causes tuberculosis and leprosy in humans respectively.