Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario (MDRAO) Practice Exam

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What is the role of cell walls in bacteria?

To aid in respiration
To provide shape and protect against environmental factors
To facilitate reproduction
To absorb nutrients

The correct answer is: To provide shape and protect against environmental factors

The role of cell walls in bacteria is primarily to provide shape and protection against various environmental factors. The cell wall is a rigid structure that surrounds the bacterial cell membrane, giving the cell its shape and preventing it from bursting in hypotonic environments due to osmotic pressure. Additionally, the cell wall serves as a barrier against certain substances, including some antibiotics, helping to protect the bacteria from external threats. This structural integrity is crucial for the bacteria's survival and functionality. While other possible functions like aiding in respiration, facilitating reproduction, or absorbing nutrients are essential processes in bacterial life, they are not directly attributed to the role of the cell wall. Instead, those functions involve other cellular structures and mechanisms. Hence, the correct understanding centers around the protective and structural role of the bacterial cell wall.