Question

what would happen to a bacterial cell if its protective covering was destroyed?
○ it would be better protected from the outside environment.
○ it would be able to take in materials more easily.
○ it would be harmed by chemicals in the environment.
○ it would reproduce more slowly.

Explanation:

The protective covering of a bacterial cell (like the cell wall or capsule) shields it from harmful substances in the environment. If this covering is destroyed, the cell loses its defense against environmental chemicals, so it would be harmed by them. The first option is wrong as the covering’s destruction reduces protection. The second is incorrect because the protective covering isn’t the main barrier for material uptake (the cell membrane is), and destruction of the protective layer doesn’t enhance uptake. The fourth is wrong as the protective covering’s destruction doesn’t directly affect reproduction speed.

Answer:

C. It would be harmed by chemicals in the environment.