Question

Bacteria have:

• A. Slime or Capsule
• B. Slime layer
• C. Capsule
• D. Slime layer and capsule

Hint:

Capsules and slime layers are critical for bacterial survival as they help with protection from host immune responses and enable bacteria to adhere to surfaces, contributing to pathogenicity.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Bacteria have a protective outer covering that can be in the form of either a slime layer or a capsule.

Capsule: A thick, well-defined layer composed of polysaccharides or proteins that surrounds the bacterial cell wall. Capsules help bacteria evade the host's immune system and provide protection against desiccation.

Slime layer: A less defined, more easily removable layer compared to the capsule. It is composed of loosely bound polysaccharides and helps the bacteria to adhere to surfaces and protect against environmental stress. In many bacteria, both the slime layer and the capsule are present, although their composition and structure may vary.

Therefore, the correct answer is that bacteria can have both a slime layer and a capsule.