alleryStart learning →What does the polysaccharide capsule of a prokaryote enable the cell to do?
AExchange genetic material with others
BAttach to surfaces in its environment
CSynthesize proteins at a faster rate
DMove rapidly through a liquid medium
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Attach to surfaces in its environment
1. Many prokaryotes carry a polysaccharide capsule outside the cell wall.
2. That capsule enables the cell to attach to surfaces in its environment.
3. Exchange of genetic material during conjugation is the job of pili instead.
4. Locomotion belongs to flagella, so movement through a liquid is not the capsule's role.
5. The capsule allows attachment to environmental surfaces.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 4 "Cell Structure", section 4.2 Prokaryotic Cells_
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