Final answer:
E. coli induces the expression of heat shock proteins that refold and prevent protein aggregation at high temperatures, helping the bacterium adapt to thermal stress. Option B is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
When E. coli is exposed to high temperatures, it induces the expression of several proteins to adapt to the stress. The correct answer to the student's question is that E. coli produces proteins that assist with refolding and prevent aggregation under high-temperature conditions, option B). These proteins are known as heat shock proteins and they help maintain protein functionality and prevent damage that high temperatures can cause.
Additionally, thermophilic bacteria can produce thermostable enzymes useful in industrial processes, which can be introduced into E. coli for production purposes. Understanding the adaptations, such as changes in lipid composition and increased guanine-cytosine content in DNA, helps us comprehend how organisms can thrive under extreme conditions.