Question

Fimbriae in prokaryotes is used for

• A. Motility
• B. Attachment or adhesion
• C. Conjugation
• D. Motility, attachment and conjugation

Hint:

• Fimbriae Short, numerous, hair-like appendages for adhesion/attachment.
• Pili (Sex Pili/F-Pili) Longer, less numerous than fimbriae, involved in bacterial conjugation. Some types of pili (Type IV) are involved in twitching motility.
• Flagella Long, whip-like structures for motility (swimming).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Prokaryotic fimbriae are short, hair-like structures present on the surface of many bacteria. Their primary function is attachment or adhesion. They enable bacteria to adhere to surfaces or host cells, facilitating colonization and infection. It is important to distinguish fimbriae from other structures like flagella, which are primarily used for motility, and pili, which are often involved in conjugation.

Given the options:

• Motility: This is incorrect as motility is typically facilitated by flagella, not fimbriae.
• Attachment or adhesion: This is correct as fimbriae help bacteria attach to various surfaces.
• Conjugation: This is incorrect as conjugation is primarily mediated by pili.
• Motility, attachment, and conjugation: This is incorrect as it falsely attributes functions to fimbriae that they do not perform.

Thus, the correct option is Attachment or adhesion.