A bacterial cell possesses a glycocalyx. Which of the following statements is FALSE?

• A. The glycocalyx can protect bacteria from desiccation.
• B. The glycocalyx is involved in the formation of biofilms.
• C. The glycocalyx is composed primarily of peptidoglycan.
• D. The glycocalyx can help bacteria evade phagocytosis by host cells.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what the glycocalyx is. The glycocalyx is a gelatinous, sticky substance surrounding the outside of some bacterial cells, primarily composed of polysaccharides and sometimes proteins.
2. Step 2: Review the functions of the glycocalyx. It helps protect bacteria from desiccation (drying out), assists in the formation of biofilms by allowing bacteria to adhere to surfaces, and can help bacteria evade phagocytosis by host immune cells.
3. Step 3: Identify the composition of the glycocalyx. Unlike the bacterial cell wall, which contains peptidoglycan, the glycocalyx is not made of peptidoglycan but mainly polysaccharides.
4. Step 4: Analyze each statement in the problem. Statements about protection from desiccation, biofilm formation, and evasion of phagocytosis are true functions of the glycocalyx.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the false statement is the one claiming the glycocalyx is composed primarily of peptidoglycan, since peptidoglycan is a component of the bacterial cell wall, not the glycocalyx.