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Which Gram-positive pathogen would be expected to have teichoic acids present in their cell wall?

a. E. coli
b. Staphylococcus
c. Salmonella
d. HIV
e. Influenza

1 Answer

1 vote

Final answer:

Staphylococcus is the correct answer as it is a Gram-positive pathogen that has teichoic acids in its cell wall structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Gram-positive pathogen that would be expected to have teichoic acids present in their cell wall is b. Staphylococcus.

Teichoic acids are components found in the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria. These substances are not present in Gram-negative bacteria or in viruses. The Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus have a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall where teichoic acids are embedded. This structure contrasts with Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, which have a thinner peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane instead. HIV and Influenza are viruses and do not have cell walls; therefore, they do not contain peptidoglycan or teichoic acids.

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