Which of the following is a characteristic of Gram-negative bacteria?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Which of the following is a characteristic of Gram-negative bacteria?
Thick peptidoglycan layer
Stains purple in Gram stain
Outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides
Sensitive to penicillin
Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides, which is a key characteristic.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: Which of the following is a characteristic of Gram-negative bacteria?
Solution: Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides, which is a key characteristic.
Steps: 4
Step 1: Understand that bacteria can be classified into two main groups: Gram-positive and Gram-negative.
Step 2: Learn that Gram-negative bacteria have a thin layer of peptidoglycan, which is a type of material that helps form their cell wall.
Step 3: Recognize that Gram-negative bacteria also have an outer membrane that contains lipopolysaccharides, which are molecules made of fats and sugars.
Step 4: Remember that the presence of this outer membrane and the thin peptidoglycan layer is what makes Gram-negative bacteria different from Gram-positive bacteria.