All of the following pertain to endotoxins, except they:

• A. can cause fever and shock in the host
• B. are secreted actively by living bacterial cells
• C. are part of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria
• D. consist of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what endotoxins are. Endotoxins are components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, specifically the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) portion.
2. Step 2: Recognize that endotoxins are not secreted actively by living bacterial cells. Instead, they are released mainly when the bacterial cells die and the outer membrane breaks apart.
3. Step 3: Recall the biological effects of endotoxins on the host, which include causing fever and shock due to their ability to trigger strong immune responses.
4. Step 4: Review each statement in the problem and compare it to the known characteristics of endotoxins: whether they are secreted actively, their location in bacteria, their chemical composition, and their effects on the host.
5. Step 5: Identify the statement that does not align with the properties of endotoxins, which is the one claiming they are secreted actively by living bacterial cells.