Bacteria can be grouped by comparing differences in cell wall structure. These differences can be revealed with the Gram stain. The diagram below shows part of a Gram-positive bacterium and part of a Gram-negative bacterium, both drawn on the same scale. The antibiotic penicillin destroys bacteria by preventing the formation of cell walls during bacterial cell growth. Which type of bacteria would be killed more readily by penicillin, and why?
- AGram-positive bacteria because the peptidoglycan layer is exposed to penicillin directly
- BGram-positive bacteria because it has a thinner layer surrounding the cell membrane overall
- CGram-negative bacteria because the thin peptidoglycan layer can be broken down faster
- DGram-negative bacteria because there is more periplasm available, which gives a weaker structure