Which of the following features would distinguish a bacterial cell from an animal cell?

• A. Ability to perform endocytosis
• B. Presence of membrane-bound organelles
• C. Linear chromosomes
• D. Presence of a cell wall containing peptidoglycan

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key structural differences between bacterial cells and animal cells. Bacterial cells are prokaryotic, while animal cells are eukaryotic.
2. Step 2: Analyze the options given: 'Ability to perform endocytosis' is a feature of eukaryotic cells (like animal cells), not bacterial cells.
3. Step 3: 'Presence of membrane-bound organelles' is characteristic of eukaryotic cells; bacterial cells lack these organelles.
4. Step 4: 'Linear chromosomes' are found in eukaryotic cells; bacterial cells typically have circular chromosomes.
5. Step 5: Recognize that bacterial cells have a unique cell wall containing peptidoglycan, which animal cells do not have. This feature is a definitive way to distinguish bacterial cells from animal cells.