A fish that has been salt-cured subsequently develops a reddish color. You suspect that the fish has been contaminated by the extreme halophile, Halobacterium. Which of these features of cells removed from the surface of the fish, if confirmed, would support your suspicion?
1)the presence of the same photosynthetic pigments found in cyanobacteria
2)cell walls that lack peptidoglycan
3)cells that are isotonic to conditions on the surface of the fish
4)cells containing bacteriorhodopsin
5)the presence of very large numbers of ion pumps in its plasma membrane
A) 2 and 5
B) 3 and 4
C) 1, 4, and 5
D) 3, 4, and 5
E) 2, 3, 4, and 5

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Halobacterium, an extreme halophile, has cell walls that lack peptidoglycan (2), uses bacteriorhodopsin for photosynthesis (4), and requires a high concentration of ions, thus having numerous ion pumps in its plasma membrane (5). Being isotonic to highly saline conditions is also characteristic of halophiles (3).

A Fish That Has Been Salt-Cured Subsequently Develops a Reddish