A fish that has been salt-cured subsequently develops a reddish color. You suspect that the fish has been contaminated by the extreme halophile Halobacterium. Which of these features of cells removed from the surface of the fish, if confirmed, would support your suspicion?
1) the presence of the same photosynthetic pigments found in cyanobacteria
2) cell walls that lack peptidoglycan
3) cells that are isotonic to conditions on the surface of the fish
4) cells unable to survive salt concentrations lower than 9%
5) the presence of very large numbers of ion pumps in the plasma membrane
A) 2 and 5
B) 3 and 4
C) 1, 4, and 5
D) 3, 4, and 5
E) 2, 3, 4, and 5

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Halobacterium is an extreme halophile, meaning it thrives in high salt concentrations (supporting 4). It lacks peptidoglycan in its cell walls (supporting 2), is isotonic to its salty environment (supporting 3), and has numerous ion pumps to manage ion balance in such conditions (supporting 5).

A Fish That Has Been Salt-Cured Subsequently Develops a Reddish