Final answer:
Prosthecate bacteria form projections called prosthecae, which are extensions of the cytoplasm and cell wall. These prosthecae enhance nutrient absorption. The correct answer is c) Enhance nutrient absorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prosthecate bacteria form projections called prosthecae, which are extensions of the cytoplasm and cell wall. These extensions, or prosthecae, serve to enhance nutrient absorption by increasing the surface area available for absorbing nutrients from the environment.
This characteristic is similar to other structures in bacteria, such as flagella, pili, and fimbriae, which also have specific functions related to mobility, attachment, and genetic material exchange.
However, unlike pili which are involved in genetic transfer during conjugation, and fimbriae which help in cell attachment, the primary function of prosthecae is related to nutrient uptake.
The correct answer is c) Enhance nutrient absorption.