What is the primary role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Gram-negative bacteria in pathogenesis?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Endotoxin causing inflammation
LPS (especially the lipid A portion) acts as an endotoxin that can trigger strong inflammatory responses and septic shock when released. It is a major virulence factor in Gram-negative infections.
Practice all 17 Bacteria: Structure and Pathogenesis questions
Keep practicing
More Bacteria: Structure and Pathogenesis questions
- During biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which intracellular signaling molecule increases to promote sessile community formation?
- Which structural feature allows Gram-positive bacteria to survive harsh environmental conditions without an outer membrane?
- Which bacterial surface appendage is primarily involved in attachment to host tissues rather than motility?
- Why are β-lactam antibiotics generally more effective against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria?
- Which bacterial structural component often serves as the antigenic determinant for serotyping and helps evade host immune responses?
- A bacterium with a thin peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane is least likely to be killed by which host defense?