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Question #46943
The Question
Methanogens are capable of surviving in extreme anaerobic environments, including areas with high thermal stress. While their unique cell wall provides overall structural integrity, which of the following molecular adaptations specifically prevents the thermodynamic melting and failure of their lipid bilayer under high temperatures?
Options
- A.
Extensive cross-linking of N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) in their cell wall
- B.
Presence of ether-linked branched-chain lipids in the plasma membrane
- C.
High proportion of unsaturated ester-linked fatty acids in the lipid bilayer
- D.
A rigid pseudomurein cell wall that directly restricts the kinetic movement of membrane phospholipids
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Evolutionary_Exception
Tackle problems where standard rules evolve or change based on specific environmental constraints.
Concepts Behind This Question
Archaebacteria Cell Wall Composition|Methanogens Metabolism|Ether-linked Lipids
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Differentiating between the osmotic/structural role of the cell wall and the thermodynamic/fluidity role of the cell membrane.
Students often over-extrapolate the NCERT line 'different cell wall structure' to explain all extreme adaptations, missing the critical NCERT-Plus distinction of ether-linked branched lipids in Archaeal membranes.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biological Classification - Class 11 |
| Concept | Archaebacteria Cell Wall Composition |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |