Question

A fish that has been salt-cured subsequently develops a reddish color. You suspect that the fish has been contaminated by the extreme halophile Halobacterium. Which of these features of cells removed from the surface of the fish, if confirmed, would support your suspicion?

the presence of the same photosynthetic pigments found in cyanobacteria and cell walls that lack peptidoglycan
cell walls that lack peptidoglycan and are isotonic to conditions on the surface of the fish
cells unable to survive salt concentrations lower than 9% and cells containing many ion pumps on the plasma membrane
the presence of the same photosynthetic pigments found in cyanobacteria and cells that are isotonic to conditions on the surface of the fish

Answer 1

The presence of photosynthetic pigments found in cyanobacteria and cell walls that lack peptidoglycan is isotonic, cells unable to survive low salt concentrations, and cells containing many ion pumps would support the suspicion of contamination by Halobacterium.

Step-by-step explanation:

If cells removed from the surface of the salt-cured fish contain photosynthetic pigments found in cyanobacteria, that would support the suspicion of contamination by Halobacterium, as Halobacterium also contains these pigments. Additionally, if the cell walls lack peptidoglycan and are isotonic to the conditions on the surface of the fish, this would further support the suspicion. Halobacterium is an extreme halophile and requires high salt concentrations to survive, so if the cells are unable to survive salt concentrations lower than 9% and contain many ion pumps on the plasma membrane, it would also lend credibility to the suspicion.