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What two structures are possessed by a majority of bacterial cells?

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Final answer:

A majority of bacterial cells possess a cell wall made of peptidoglycan and chromosomal DNA localized in a structure called the nucleoid. These are essential for the protection, shape maintenance, and genetic functions of the bacteria.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the structures that are commonly found in a majority of bacterial cells. When we look at the generalized structure of a prokaryotic cell, which includes bacteria, certain features are consistently present. Among these, the cell wall and chromosomal DNA in a nucleoid are two fundamental components of most bacterial cells.

Bacterial cell walls are essential for maintaining the shape of the cell, providing protection and preventing dehydration. Notably, in Gram-positive bacteria, the cell wall is characterized by a thick peptidoglycan layer, whereas in Gram-negative bacteria, there's a thinner peptidoglycan layer plus an outer membrane with lipopolysaccharides and porins that facilitate substance passage.

Additionally, bacterial chromosomal DNA is typically circular and situated in a region of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid, without a surrounding membrane, distinguishing it from eukaryotic cells.

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