Within a population of E.coli cells,you frequently observe rod-shaped cells that are significantly larger than the rest.This species is not known to be pleomorphic.Which is the most likely explanation for your observation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely explanation for the presence of larger rod-shaped cells in a population of E.coli is that they are at different stages of growth before binary fission. E.coli generally demonstrates uniform shape and size, and pleomorphism is not expected. Variation in cell size due to the nutritional needs not being met would be observed across the population and not limited to a few cells. Contamination with a different species such as Staphylococcus would result in the appearance of different cell shapes and sizes. Loss of cell walls or plasma membranes would lead to cell death rather than a change in size.

Within a Population of E