Question

Why is the presence of a cell wall significant from a clinical standpoint? A) The cell wall protects microorganisms from destruction by the immune system. B) Only gram-negative Bacteria have cell walls. C) All types of cells have a cell wall, and it makes identification of the causative agent of disease difficult. D) Animal cells do not have cell walls, so antibiotics that target cell walls can selectively destroy invading microorganisms.

Answer 1

The significance of the cell wall from a clinical standpoint is that it can be D. selectively targeted by antibiotics such as penicillin to treat bacterial infections without harming the host's animal cells, which lack cell walls.

Step-by-step explanation:

From a clinical standpoint, the presence of a cell wall is significant because it is a unique feature of many microorganisms that can be targeted by antibiotics. The cell wall, which is essential for protecting bacteria and is located outside the cell membrane, gives bacteria structural integrity and prevents them from bursting due to osmotic pressure.

The composition of cell walls varies between species, but bacterial cell walls, in particular, contain peptidoglycan. In the clinical context, antibiotics like penicillin work by disrupting the formation of the cell wall, leading to cell lysis in hypotonic environments where solute concentrations are low. Because animal cells do not have cell walls, antibiotics designed to target cell walls can selectively destroy invading microorganisms without harming the host's human cells.

Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall, unlike Gram-negative bacteria, which have a thinner peptidoglycan wall and an additional outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides and porins. This structural difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is used in Gram staining to identify and classify bacteria, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections.

Answer 2

The correct answer is A)The presence of a cell wall is significant from a clinical standpoint because it provides protection for microorganisms and allows for the selective targeting of bacterial cells by certain antibiotics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The presence of a cell wall is significant from a clinical standpoint because it provides protection for microorganisms. The cell wall acts as a physical barrier, preventing the cell from bursting due to changes in osmotic pressure. For example, bacterial cells with intact cell walls can withstand low solute concentrations without bursting, whereas cells without cell walls would burst in the same conditions.

In addition, certain antibiotics, such as penicillin, target the cell wall of bacteria. These antibiotics prevent the formation of the cell wall or weaken its structure, ultimately leading to the death of the bacterial cells. Animal cells do not have cell walls, so these antibiotics specifically target bacterial cells, making them effective treatments for bacterial

infections.the presence of a cell wall protects microorganisms and allows for the selective targeting of bacterial cells by certain antibiotics.