The Bacterial Cell Wall of Mycobacteria is Highly Hydrophobic Due

Question

The bacterial cell wall of mycobacteria is highly hydrophobic due to presence of
A) lipoproteins.
B) phenolic glycolipids.
C) phospholipids.
D) polysaccharides.
E) glycoproteins.

Accepted Answer

Phenolic glycolipids are lipids with phenolic and carbohydrate residues that are unique to mycobacteria. These molecules contribute to the hydrophobicity of the cell wall and play a role in virulence and evasion of the host immune system. Lipoproteins, phospholipids, polysaccharides, and glycoproteins are also present in the mycobacterial cell wall, but they do not contribute as significantly to the hydrophobicity.