Final answer:
The overall population morphology of wild type and mutant VRP1 cells can differ in terms of size homogeneity or heterogeneity, which can be distinguished by observing cellular and colonial morphology, in a similar manner to the studies of bacteria strains like those conducted by Griffith.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses the differences in the overall population morphology between wild type (wt) and mutant VRP1 (mVRP1) cells, particularly in terms of homogeneity or heterogeneity in size. When considering the morphology of M. luteus colonies, we can draw a parallel in that the appearance of colonies on a petri dish can offer clues about homogeneity and heterogeneity among cells. This is similar to the distinctions made between the S and R strains of S. pneumonia as described by Frederick Griffith in the 1920s.
In the laboratory, it is common to begin by observing colonial and cellular morphology to distinguish between different bacteria or cells. Morphological and physiological characteristics can demonstrate the diversity within a cell population. Variance in size could impact physiological functions too, such as the rate of material diffusion into a cell, which has implications for larger cells.
Hence, to answer the student's question, the overall population morphology of wt and mVRP1 cells may differ, with one possibly being more homogeneous or heterogeneous in size than the other. The homogeneity in cell size in prokaryotes, despite various cell growth conditions, has been a topic of research and debate, with theories ranging from cell division timers to volume thresholds initiating division.