Low-GC Gram-positive bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus-the staphylococci-
A) cause tuberculosis, which kills 3 million people each year.
B) lack cell walls, though some have a stiffening material outside the plasma membrane.
C) are abundant on the human body surface and are responsible for boils and many other skin problems.
D) produce hundreds of antibiotics.
E) cause a disease of cattle and sheep that can also be fatal in humans.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus bacteria are low-GC Gram-positive bacteria that are commonly found on the surface of the human body and are responsible for skin problems such as boils. Option A is incorrect because tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is a high-GC Gram-positive bacterium. Option B is incorrect because all bacteria have cell walls, although the composition of the cell wall may vary. Option D is incorrect because Staphylococcus bacteria do not produce hundreds of antibiotics. Option E is incorrect because the disease of cattle and sheep referred to in the option is likely to be a different bacterial infection, not caused by Staphylococcus.

Low-GC Gram-Positive Bacteria of the Genus Staphylococcus-The Staphylococci-