Question

The peptidoglycan cell walls of bacteria contain pores that allow the passage of substances with diameters less than 200 Å. Why is it important that the cell wall be porous rather than solid?

Short answer

Bacteria have a simple transport system with their peptidoglycan cell wall. It can be achieved by the small pores present in the cell wall.

Step-by-step solution

Peptidoglycan cell wall

Cell wall in bacteria is a structural layer which provide rigidity and protection to cell. The peptidoglycan component makes it rigid in nature and allows the molecule easily to enter the bacteria. The same bacteria can accommodate large molecules inside their cell.

Bacterial cell wall pores

Bacteria do not have a complex transport system like eukaryotic cells. It is arranged in a simple manner and allows molecules to entire into the cell.

Peptidoglycan cell wall pores involved in the transport in the bacteria.