Question

One of the most common causes of pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae, a gram-positive bacterium. Surrounding the bacterium is a thick structural component layer known as a capsule. This capsule is made up of repeating molecular units and serves as a sticky, protective macromolecule. There are over 84 known different molecular configurations of capsule, and it is the primary component of vaccines against this organism. The capsule is the antigen that we commonly detect in the serology testing referred to in the previous question. Based on the information given about capsules, which of the following types of molecules would you suspect comprises an S. pneumoniae capsule?
a. monosaccharide carbohydrate
b. triglyceride lipid
c. polysaccharide carbohydrate
d. disaccharide carbohydrate
e. adenosine triphosphate

Answer 1

Answer:

c.- polysaccharide carbohydrates

Explanation:

In the explanation it says that is a repeating molecular units, that means, goes in chain one by other by other.

Also is mention that is 84 different molecular configurations, that means that in some parts the capsule can be made by some order in the carbohydrates, but in another part of the strand the order is different.

Also the carbohydrates are easily to react with some chemical products to be identify on the lab.