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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

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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
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