Question

A Gram-positive cell wall consists of up to 40 peptidoglycan layers interspersed with threads of teichoic acid. What do these threads of teichoic acid actually do for the Gram-positive cell?

Answer 1

Explanation:

The peptidoglycan layers which are present in the gram-positive bacteria are interspersed densely with the anionic glycopolymers that are known as wall teichoic acids or simply, threads of teichoic acid.

These glycopolymers play a very crucial role in the determination of the cell shape, regulation of the cell division, and also other fundamental aspects of the physiology of gram-positive bacteria.

Wall teichoic acids are also important in the process of pathogenesis and play  important roles in the antibiotic resistance.