Question

Each of the following statements concerning the gram-positive cell wall is true EXCEPT

A) it maintains the shape of the cell.
B) it is sensitive to lysozyme.
C) it protects the cell in a hypertonic environment.
D) it contains teichoic acids.
E) it is sensitive to penicillin.

Answer 1

The statement that is false is C 'it protects the cell in a hypertonic environment'.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cell wall has no role in protecting a cell in any of the hypertonic or hypotonic environments. In an hypertonic environment, water will flow out of the cell due to the concentration gradient developed and this phenomenon cannot be stopped by any kind of cell wall.

The gram positive cell wall is involved in maintaining the shape of the cell. Studies have also shown the gram- positive cell wall to be sensitive towards lysozyme. Techoic acids are actively present in a gram-positive cell wall. Also, many researches have explained that gram- positive cell wall is sensitive to the antibiotic penicillin. Hence, the statement that is not correct is C "it protects the cell in a hypertonic environment."