Final answer:
The statement about bacteria having projections called prosthecae to increase nutrient absorption is false. Bacteria have flagella for movement, pili for genetic exchange, and fimbriae for attachment, but prosthecae are not typical of bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that bacteria have projections called prosthecae, which are extensions of the cytoplasm and cell wall that increase the surface area to facilitate absorption of nutrients, is false. Bacteria do have various structures that aid in attachment to surfaces and in certain cases for movement. For example, some prokaryotes have flagella for locomotion, pili for the exchange of genetic material during conjugation, or fimbriae for attachment to a host cell or other surfaces. However, the extensions described as prosthecae are not typical of bacteria. Instead, absorptive cells that line the small intestine of eukaryotes have small projections called microvilli that increase surface area and aid in the absorption of food, which may be where confusion arises. Bacterial surfaces may be enhanced for attachment and protection with structures like the peptidoglycan cell wall, polysaccharide capsules, or the protein appendages mentioned. These adaptations are crucial for their survival and interaction with their environment.