Which domain is characterized by cell walls that lack peptidoglycan?

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Multiple Choice

Which domain is characterized by cell walls that lack peptidoglycan?

Explanation:
Cell wall composition is the key. Peptidoglycan forms the sturdy mesh found in most bacterial cell walls, giving rigidity and shape. Archaea do not use peptidoglycan in their walls; they build them from different substances (like pseudopeptidoglycan or various proteins and polysaccharides), and their membrane lipids are different as well. In contrast, Eukarya typically have walls made of cellulose or chitin, and viruses lack cell walls entirely. So the domain characterized by cell walls that lack peptidoglycan is Archaea.

Cell wall composition is the key. Peptidoglycan forms the sturdy mesh found in most bacterial cell walls, giving rigidity and shape. Archaea do not use peptidoglycan in their walls; they build them from different substances (like pseudopeptidoglycan or various proteins and polysaccharides), and their membrane lipids are different as well. In contrast, Eukarya typically have walls made of cellulose or chitin, and viruses lack cell walls entirely. So the domain characterized by cell walls that lack peptidoglycan is Archaea.

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