Question

Bacteria that lack fimbriae are less likely to ________.

a. adhere to cell surfaces

b. swim through bodily fluids

c. synthesize proteins

d. retain the ability to divide

Short answer

Bacteria that lack fimbriae are less likely to adhere to cell surfaces.

Step-by-step solution

Explanation

a. adhere to cell surfaces

This option is correct as fimbriae are involved in cell adhesion, it is the ability of cells to adhere to objects and surfaces in their surroundings.

b. swim through bodily fluids

Flagella are used for swimming in bacteria, not fimbriae.

c. synthesize proteins

Protein is synthesized by ribosomes in prokaryotic cells.

d. retain the ability to divide

Fimbriae do not have to do anything with division.

Final answer

Fimbriae are long filamentous polymeric protein structures that can be seen on the surface of bacterial cells.