93.9k views
1 vote
What is composed of alternating sugar molecules called N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)?

A) Lipid bilayer
B) Peptidoglycan
C) Cellulose
D) Chitin

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Peptidoglycan is composed of alternating sugar molecules called N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM). It provides bacterial cell walls with tensile strength.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is B) Peptidoglycan.

Peptidoglycan is a major component of bacterial cell walls and provides them with tensile strength. It is composed of alternating sugar molecules called N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM). The structure of peptidoglycan consists of long chains of NAG and NAM, cross-linked by peptide bridges, which give the cell wall its strength.

Chitin, which is composed of N-acetylglucosamine units, is another example of a structural polysaccharide found in fungal cell walls and the exoskeletons of insects.

User Jefferson Tavares
by
8.5k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.