Smooth (S)and rough (R)strains of Streptococcus pneumonia are distinct because of their ability to cause illness (death in rodents).This trait is controlled by genes that regulate:
A)the production of a protective polysaccharide coat (capsule)around each cell.
B)the production of lethal toxins.
C)the speed of bacterial growth.
D)the metabolic rate of microbial glycolysis.
E)the bacterial ability to penetrate through the membrane of animal cells.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ability to cause illness (death in rodents) in S. pneumonia is controlled by genes that regulate the production of a protective polysaccharide coat (capsule) around each cell. The smooth strains have a thick capsule that protects them from phagocytosis by immune cells, whereas rough strains lack a capsule and are more easily phagocytosed.

Smooth (S)and Rough (R)strains of Streptococcus Pneumonia Are Distinct Because