Question

L-form bacteria rely on their cell membrane as their protection from the external environment, determining what can move in and out of the cell. bacteria with cell walls have additional protection, but need to synthesize the peptidoglycan precursors within the cell and then transport them across the membrane to maintain or expand the cell wall. the peptidoglycan precursors require assistance in moving across the membrane, which is accomplished by a hydrophobic molecule called bactoprenol. why is it important for peptidoglycan precursors to be sufficiently hydrophobic in order to cross the cell membrane?

Answer 1

The cell plasma membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer structure in which the hydrophobic tails of each phospholipid face inwards forming a hydrophobic core. The core restricts movement of hydrophilic substances across the membrane by repelling them. Hence the peptidoglycan precursors must be sufficiently hydrophobic in order to bypass the hydrophobic core of the bilayer and leave the cell to reach the cell wall.