Question

The predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is able to penetrate a gram-negative bacterium that has a slimy cell covering. What is the correct sequence of structures penetrated by B. bacteriovorus on its way to the prey's cytoplasm

Answer 1

Answer:

The order of bacterial structures that the bacteria would penetrate would be:

1. Capsule.
2. Lipopolysaccharide Membrane
3. peptidoglycan
4. Phospholipids Membrane.

Explanation:

A parasite like B. bacteriovorus faces some challenges in getting into a bacterial cell. This is because these cells have devices and strategies to prevent the entry of parasites and ensure the survival of the bacteria. The first challenge would be to penetrate the bacterial capsule. The capsule is a structure that is located around many bacteria. This structure is rigid, with sharp edges and thick thickness, which protects the bacteria from external agents. If B. bacteriovorus manages to go beyond the capsule, it will find a membrane, also thick, composed mainly of lipopolysaccharides, which will also provide protection and try to prevent the entry of the parasite. If this membrane is crossed, B. bacteriovorus will face another layer called peptidoglycan. This layer establishes itself as a cell wall, being very difficult to break. Some bacteria present one more layer after peptidoglycan, which is a membrane made by Phospholipids, which is highly selective and difficult to break, but is more fragile than the previous layers. Only after overcoming all these structures, the parasite will have access to the bacterial cel