Problem 1: Why are bacteria with capsules more pathogenic than bacteria without?How do these capsules help the bacteria cause disease?
Problem 2: The cell wall is the target for many antimicrobial chemotherapies (antibiotics). The classic example is penicillin, which prevents the cross linking of peptidoglycan. Explain why disruption of cell synthesis would kill bacteria. Would this work as well against all types of bacteria? Or are there groups of bacteria that penicillin might not be as affective at killing?
Problem 3: Some pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile are endospore forming bacteria. Explain why the production of endospores by these bacteria make it more difficult to remove the bacteria from hospital settings.