Question

which three of the following are functions of the cell wall common to both bacteria and archaea?
□ forming a permeability barrier
□ transporting nutrients into the cytoplasm
□ conferring stability against osmotic pressure
□ determining cell shape
□ attaching the cell to solid surfaces

Explanation:

1. Forming a permeability barrier: The cell wall (along with the cell membrane) helps regulate what enters and exits the cell, acting as a permeability barrier for both bacteria and archaea.
2. Conferring stability against osmotic pressure: Both bacterial and archaeal cell walls protect the cell from bursting or shrinking due to osmotic pressure differences between the cell's interior and its environment.
3. Determining cell shape: The cell wall provides structural support that dictates the overall shape of the cell (e.g., spherical, rod - shaped) in both bacteria and archaea.

• Transporting nutrients into the cytoplasm is mainly the function of membrane - associated transporters, not the cell wall.
• Attaching the cell to solid surfaces is often the role of structures like pili or specific surface proteins, not a universal function of the cell wall for both bacteria and archaea.

Answer:

• conferring stability against osmotic pressure
• determining cell shape
• forming a permeability barrier