Removal of the Cell Wall of a Gram Positive Bacteria

Question

Removal of the cell wall of a Gram positive bacteria results in the formation of a _____.
A)protoplast
B)spheroplast
C)periplast
D)polyplast

Accepted Answer

The cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria is composed of a thick peptidoglycan layer. When this layer is removed through the action of enzymes such as lysozyme or penicillin, the resulting structure is called a protoplast. The protoplast retains the cell membrane and any other structures contained within it. Spheroplasts are formed when the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria is removed, as they have both an inner and outer membrane. Periplast and polyplast are not terms commonly used in reference to bacterial structures.