A Major Function of Prokaryotic Gas Vesicles is To

Question

A major function of prokaryotic gas vesicles is to
A) confer buoyancy on cells by decreasing their density.
B) serve as a reservoir for oxygen and carbon dioxide.
C) keep the cell's organelles separated during flagellar motion.
D) store oxygen for aerobic growth when oxygen becomes depleted in the environment.

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic gas vesicles are small, gas-filled structures that provide buoyancy to cells by decreasing their overall density. This allows the cells to float to the surface of their aquatic environments, where they can access crucial nutrients and light for photosynthesis. Gas vesicles do not serve as reservoirs for oxygen and carbon dioxide, nor do they store oxygen for aerobic growth. They also do not play a role in separating the cell's organelles during flagellar motion.