Question

Slime layer and capsule in bacteria are modifications of
A)Glycocalyx
B)Cell wall
C)Plasma membrane
D)Pellicle

Answer 1

Hint: All living organisms are made of one in every of two basic varieties of cells: eukaryotic cells, during which the genetic material is enclosed within a nuclear membrane, or prokaryotic cells, within which the genetic material isn't separated from the rest of the cell. Earlier prokaryotic cells were called bacteria and were classified within kingdom Monera.

Complete answer:
Many bacterial cells secrete some extracellular material within the kind of a capsule or a slime layer. Capsule is seen under a lightweight microscope by placing the cells during a suspension of India ink. Capsules appear as clear halos surrounding bacterial cells. Capsules are polymers of simple sugars. Most capsules are hydrophilic and help bacteria avoid desiccation. Capsules protect bacterial cell from ingestion. A capsular layer of extracellular polysaccharide material can enclose many bacteria into a biofilm and serves many functions. The bacteria that are trapped within the capsule use the opposite sugar to fuel their metabolism and produce a powerful acid that attacks enamel.

Slime layer is a structured paracrystalline protein layer. These are composed of a single kind of protein molecule, sometimes with carbohydrates attached. They are also resistant to proteolytic enzymes. It protects cell from wall-degrading enzymes and bacteriophages. It plays an important role in maintenance of cell shape, also involved in cell adhesion to host epidermal surfaces. A slime layer is composed of polysaccharides and surrounds cell. It protects and allows adherence to surfaces. A slime layer is a loose, unorganized layer which is easily stripped from the cell that made it, as opposed to a capsule which integrates firmly around the bacterial cell wall.

Some bacteria have a highly organized layer made of secreted proteins or glycoproteins that self-assemble into a matrix on the outer part of the cell wall. This regularly structured S-layer is anchored into the cell wall, although it is not considered to be officially part of the cell wall in bacteria. S-layers have very important roles for the bacteria that have them, particularly in the areas of growth and survival, and cell integrity. S layers help in maintaining overall rigidity of cell wall and surface layers.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A)

Note: Bacteria that possess capsules are e encapsulated, and have high pathogenicity since capsules protect bacteria, even from phagocytic white blood cells of the system. The adhesive power of capsules is also a significant factor in initiation of some bacterial diseases.