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What part of a prokaryotic cell allows it to form biofilms? a The capsule b The plasma membrane c The flagella d The ribosomes

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What part of a prokaryotic cell allows it to form biofilms?
a The capsule
b The plasma membrane
c The flagella
d The ribosomes

What part of a prokaryotic cell allows it to form biofilms? a The capsule b The plasma membrane c The flagella d The ribosomes

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YvesElite · Tutor for 8 years

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a The capsule

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The question is asking about the part of a prokaryotic cell that enables it to form biofilms. Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that are attached to a surface. They are often encased in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). The EPS, composed primarily of polysaccharides, provides a protective barrier for the community of cells and aids in adhesion to surfaces. The part of a prokaryotic cell that is responsible for the production of this EPS and thus the formation of biofilms is the capsule. The capsule is a gel-like layer on the outside of the cell wall of certain bacteria. It is not involved in cell movement like the flagella, or protein synthesis like the ribosomes, or controlling the movement of substances in and out of the cell like the plasma membrane. Its main functions are to protect the cell from desiccation (drying out) and to help the cell adhere to surfaces, which is crucial for biofilm formation.
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