Binary fission Transitional Reasoning Download PDF

Questions

1. 1.

   A microbiologist studying cell division in a culture of rod-shaped bacteria introduces an experimental inhibitor that specifically blocks the polymerization of the FtsZ protein ring at the future division site. While circular chromosome replication and cellular elongation proceed normally, inward synthesis of the cell wall and membrane constriction cannot take place. Which outcome will most directly be observed in this bacterial culture as a consequence of this treatment?

   • A) The bacterial cells will fail to duplicate their circular chromosomes and arrest growth prior to cellular elongation.
   • B) The bacterial cells will assemble an alternative microtubule-based spindle apparatus to distribute replicated plasmids.
   • C) The bacterial cells will initiate premature membrane furrowing, producing anucleate mini-cells lacking genomic material.
   • D) The bacterial cells will develop into elongated filamentous structures containing multiple replicated chromosomes that fail to separate into daughter cells.