Question

Cells of a normally rod-shaped bacterium (e.g., Bacillus subtilis) that have completely lost the ability to produce the MreB protein would mostly likely be Choose one: A. nonflagellated. B. stalked (like Caulobacter). C. coccoid-shaped. D. filamentous in form. E. unable to divide symmetrically.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. coccoid-shaped.

Explanation:

MreB protein serves as function as actin proteins do in the eukaryotic cells. MreB protein is involved in maintaining the cell shape. It is observed in many rod-shaped bacteria and archaea such as Bacillus subtilis. MreB polymerizes to form a spiral around the inside periphery of the cell and maintain the elongated shape of the cell. A bacterium that is not able to produce functional MreB protein cannot maintain the rod shape of its cell and is coccoid-shaped.