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Question #46951
The Question
A culture of Mycoplasma (PPLO) is treated with a high concentration of Penicillin. Which of the following accurately describes the effect of the antibiotic on the culture and the precise biological reason for this outcome?
Options
- A.
The culture will continue to grow normally because Mycoplasma inherently lacks a peptidoglycan layer, rendering transpeptidase-inhibiting antibiotics clinically inert.
- B.
The culture will die rapidly because Penicillin disrupts the selectively permeable plasma membrane, which is the only outer boundary in Mycoplasma.
- C.
The culture will survive because Mycoplasma possesses an R-plasmid that produces beta-lactamase, degrading the antibiotic before it reaches the cell wall.
- D.
The culture will continue to grow because the cell wall of Mycoplasma is composed of pseudomurein rather than true peptidoglycan.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Heterocyst|Law_of_Limiting_Factors|Nitrogenase
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize that 'antibiotics kill bacteria' and might assume Mycoplasma, being a prokaryote, will either die or survive via standard plasmid-mediated resistance (like beta-lactamase production).
The trap is failing to link the NCERT fact ('Mycoplasma completely lacks a cell wall') to the mechanism of action of common antibiotics, realizing that intrinsic resistance arises from the complete anatomical absence of the drug's target.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biological Classification - Class 11 |
| Concept | Cyanobacteria Heterocyst Function |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |