Calcium is Required for Bacteria Because It ________

Question

Calcium is required for bacteria because it ________.
A)stabilizes the cell wall
B)stabilizes the ribosomes
C)stabilizes the nucleoid
D)maintains cellular pH
E)makes strong bones

Accepted Answer

Calcium ions play a key role in stabilizing bacterial cell walls, especially in gram-positive bacteria where the cell wall contains peptidoglycan which is cross-linked by calcium ions. Calcium ions also play a role in stabilizing some enzymes and activating certain bacterial virulence factors.