Characteristics that are found in the bacteria called Mycobacterium are:
a. a cell wall that contains N-glycolylmuramic acid and has a high lipid content.
b. a cell wall that has a low lipid content.
c. sensitive to decolorization by acidified alcohol.
d. rapid-growers, as compared with most other human pathogenic bacteria.
A
Mycobacterium spp. have an unusual cell wall structure that contains N-glycolylmuramic acid in lieu of N-acetylmuramic acid and have a very high lipid content. Because of this cell wall struc-ture, mycobacteria are difficult to stain with commonly used basic aniline dyes, such as those used in the Gram stain. However, these organisms resist decolorization by acidified alcohol (3% hydrochloric acid) after the prolonged application of a basic fuchsin dye or with heating the dye after its application.
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